Robert Plant Page 2

Michael Skidmore, who unsuccessfully sued Led Zeppelin for copyright infringement over their 1971 classic ‘Stairway to Heaven’, has filed a notice of appeal against the court’s ruling. In June Led Zeppelin were cleared of copying the opening chords of Spirit’s ‘Taurus’, for ‘Stairway to Heaven’, but Skidmore is asking the courts to review their decision.

Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page.

The notice of appeal, obtained by The Wrap, reads: “Please take notice that Plaintiff Michael Skidmore, Trustee for the Randy Craig Wolfe Trust, hereby appeals to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from the final judgment entered on June 23, 2016, as well as any and all interlocutory rulings, decisions, and orders that gave rise to the judgment and are merged therein.”

Continue reading: Appeal Launched In Led Zeppelin 'Stairway To Heaven' Lawsuit

As the jury trial concerning plagiarism over Led Zeppelin’s totemic rock song ‘Stairway To Heaven’ approaches, the lawyers suing the legendary rock group have apparently told them they can settle the case for $1 plus a writing credit for their client.

The trial is set for May 10th, and will examine the similarities between Zep’s eight-minute monster ‘Stairway To Heaven’ from 1971, perhaps the most famous rock song of all time, and Spirit’s 1968 song ‘Taurus’, and a judge has this week given rulings about what evidence can and cannot be heard by the jury.

Led Zeppelin - (l-r) Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones

Continue reading: Led Zeppelin Told They Can Settle 'Stairway To Heaven' Plagiarism Case For $1 Plus Writing Credit

Led Zeppelin founders Robert Plant and Jimmy Page will face trial over whether they stole the opening chords for ‘Stairway To Heaven’ from Spirit’s 1967 instrumental, ‘Taurus’. On Friday (April 8th) US district judge Gary Klausner in Los Angeles said there were enough similarities between the two tracks to let a jury decide.

Robert Plant and Jimmy Page will face a jury trial over their 1971 hit ‘Stairway To Heaven’.

In his ruling Judge Klausner said: "While it is true that a descending chromatic four-chord progression is a common convention that abounds in the music industry, the similarities here transcend this core structure." 

Continue reading: Led Zeppelin To Face Jury Trial Over 'Stairway To Heaven' Copyright Claim

Coy as ever, Robert Plant has dropped the latest hint that legendary rock band Led Zeppelin could reunite for a tour in 2014. The frontman said the decision would ultimately be up to guitarist Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, though crucially told Australia’s 60 Minutes TV programme, “I’ve got nothing to do in 2014.”

Jimmy Page [L] Appears To Have Left The Door Firmly Open For A Led Zeppelin Reunion

It’s the first time the often-spikey Plant has spoken so openly about the possibility of another reunion. Referring to Led Zeppelin’s one-off gig at London’s O2 Arena in 2007, he added, “We just wanted to play and see what it was like and be good once…It was time to be good – and we were.” Despite the euphoric highs of that concert, the band have not played together since December 10, 2007, with Plant essentially absolving himself of any blame and passing things firmly in the direction of Plant and Jones. “Well you are for all those Led Zeppelin fans who'd love you to say, 'Yes, we're re-forming….Well, then you need to speak to [Page and Jones] the Capricorns. Cos I've got nothing to do in 2014.” It’s a sensational change from Plant’s position in 2008, when he trampled on any hopes of Led Zeppelin tour saying he was busy making music with Alison Krauss and, later, the group Band of Joy. Drummer Jason Bonham subsequently revealed the group were “real close” to touring without their iconic frontman. Plant scolded a couple of journalists who dared ask about a reunion at a recent press conference for the band’s DVD Celebration Day.

Continue reading: Celebration Day! Robert Plant Hints At Led Zeppelin Reunion For 2014

Jimmy Page arrives for The Letterman Show

Still no more live shows announced but then perhaps it's enough just to see that Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones are happy to be in each other's company as friends these days as Led Zeppelin continued their promotional tour of the USA by appearing on Letterman. The veteran British rock group were given one of American's most prestigious honors when they picked up an award at the Kennedy Center Honors, and were paid tribute to by President Barack Obama.

Continue reading: Led Zeppelin Fly In To Speak To David Letterman

Led Zeppelin's Celebration Day' press conference was a feisty affair from start to finish at the Museum of Modern Art on Wednesday (October 10, 2012). After an Associated Press journalist asked if the new movie would lead to something more substantial (a comeback), the band remained silent, before Plant piped up.

"I mean, we've been thinking about all sorts of things.And then we can't remember what we were thinking of. Schmuck." It set the tone for a fraught press conference, with Plant seeming particularly uncomfortable from thereon in. "There are some people in here who are not journalists.There's a masseuse in here who's not a journalist. I think that's ever so exciting," he added. The clamour for tickets to Led Zeppelin's 2007 reunion show at London's O2 arena was so intense that it remained a certainty the group would play further shows; but then they didn't. Now, with promotion of 'Celebration Day' in full flow, the group are under fire from journalists eager to get the scoop on further live shows. Plant and guitarist Jimmy Page have so far refused to dish on any plans, instead choosing to treat probing rock journos with haughty contempt. It all begs the question; does anybody really care if Led Zeppelin play a hugely overpriced show at a huge arena with bad sound? Unless they plan on keeping something under wraps for a big announcement, it's difficult to understand why the band remains so intent on giving everyone a hard time over it.

Plant is now 64-years-old, Page even older; we're guessing their best song-writing is behind them and new live shows would only serve as a nostalgia trip for those who enjoyed Led Zeppelin at their peak. So do us all a favour guys; if you've got something to announce, announce it, if not, tell the fans they're going to have to settle for the DVD.

With the Led Zeppelin reunion rumours flying around, it was only natural that journalists would push the issue at the press conference for their upcoming gig movie Celebration Day yesterday (October 9, 2012), Rolling Stone reports.

All seemed jovial, pleasant even, and the band cut a relaxed quintet, but then it got weird. "There are some people in here who are not journalists," Robert Plant said early on. "There's a masseuse in here who's not a journalist. I think that's ever so exciting." Uncomfortable laughter ensued, and then a reporter made the mistake of broaching the subject of a reunion after the film. "I mean, we've been thinking about all sorts of things," Plant said. "And then we can't remember what we were thinking of. Schmuck." After a bit of silence, of the awkward variety a radio presenter praised the film, but addressed the reunion, again, saying: "I don't know if it's going to quench the thirst of those who wished to see you in the flesh." More silence, before plant simply stated: "Sorry!"

Finally, Plant elaborated and decided not to speak in short sharp sentences, but sent a strong message to any reporters who had reunion questions scribbled in their moleskins: "We were so happy we were getting it right and taking it beyond what we thought we were about that night," he said of the O2 gig. "There were moments where we took off ... But the responsibility of doing that four nights a week for the rest of time is a different thing. We're pretty good at what we do but the tail should never wag the dog, really. If we're capable of doing something, in our own time, that will be what will happen. So any inane questions from people who are from syndicated outlets, you should just really think about what it takes to answer a question like that in one second. We know what we've got, you know."

The mooted Led Zeppelin reunion has been all but dismissed by Jimmy Page. The guitarist set the record straight at the film premier of Celebration Day, reports The Independent.

In the slightly awkward press-conference surrounding the press push for their upcoming gig-movie, the band refused to talk reunion, with Robert Plant deflecting any ill-received questions on the matter. But when it came to the film’s premiere, Jimmy Page just couldn’t keep quiet about it, and told reporters exactly where a reunion lay on the band’s priority list. "I think it's disappointing for people when the answer is no," Page said, well and truly quelling rumors. However, like all correspondence surrounding the reports of reunification, this was followed by a statement that will keep the flame running low: “That's what it is now," he said.

Celebration Day covers their 2007 reunion concert at London's 02 Arena. Jason Bonham, the son of the late John Bonham, played the one-time tribute concert to honor Atlantic records founder Ahmet Ertegun. "Once the idea was proposed, 'Would we do the concert?' It had to be Jason," Page said. "I think it's probably frustrating to the public when they see how good it is, and they go, 'why won't you do anymore?' They don't get it," Bonham explained. "But you know what, there's a time, and for me it's when John Bonham was in Led Zeppelin."

Led Zeppelin would not be drawn into answering reunion questions at a press conference on Monday, reports The Guardian.

Asked whether a comeback was on the cards, Jimmy Page gave a frank answer: "Let me ask you a question," he said. "Have you seen the film? Did you enjoy it? Then we've done our job, haven't we?" The band were also full of praise for Jason Bonham, who replaced his father John. "Jason was absolutely monumental in his performance," Page said. "Nobody else could have done it." The performance, their last ever, featured Bonham on drums. “We played with him before, at his wedding," added Robert Plant. "But sadly he decided to go to bed at his wedding reception. Because I was a friend of the family from way back, I was the one who had to go to his room and get him out of bed."

Celebration Day - directed by Dick Carruthers - shows Zeppelin's entire 16-song set at the tribute concert. The film will get a worldwide theatrical release on 17 October, and a multi-format home release on 19 November.

Continue reading: Are Led Zeppelin Set To Return To The Stage?