From admiration to infringement: The Howlin’ Wolf connection to Led Zeppelin

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As a lifelong fan of rock ‘n’ roll and a connoisseur of blues-inspired tunes, I find myself constantly torn between the sheer genius of Led Zeppelin’s music and their occasional tendency to borrow liberally from the masters they admire. On one hand, I can’t help but appreciate the way they took classic blues tracks like “Killing Floor” and transformed them into something fresh and exciting with “The Lemon Song.” But on the other, I can’t help but feel a pang of guilt, much like when you take that last slice of pie from the communal table at a family gathering.

Although some might label them as the “World’s Top Band,” Led Zeppelin’s swift rise in rock music was marked by a mix of immense popularity and controversy. Renowned for their groundbreaking fusion of blues, rock, and psychedelia, the band – made up of Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham – occasionally faced accusations of over-reliance on earlier blues tunes. A notable example of this was “The Lemon Song” from their 1969 album Led Zeppelin II, which bore a strong resemblance to Howlin’ Wolf’s classic blues track “Killing Floor.

In their early performances, the band ultimately needed to apologize for covering “Killing Floor,” as they later transformed it into “The Lemon Song.” This adaptation included extra lyrical and musical inspirations. To some, this was acceptable, but to others, it’s akin to receiving a “happy meal” with unauthorized toys inside – while you might accept it, there’s still an element of tackiness attached.

Indeed, there’s always room for excuses, and it’s quite uncommon, though not impossible, to discover a group that strictly adheres to the “do your own thing” philosophy. However, this rendition of Howlin’ Wolf’s song by the renowned rock band led to some legal consequences.

Consider this: While many artists are known for their original compositions, Weird Al Yankovic is distinctive due to his practice of reworking songs, like transforming a tune about love in peril into one about the quiz show “Jeopardy!” The key distinction? Unlike other performers, Weird Al has consistently been mindful of ensuring that his parodied songs don’t overstep boundaries and can be considered acceptable.

More specifics on when Howlin’ Wolf sued Led Zeppelin

In December 1972, Arc Music, who owned the rights to Howlin’ Wolf’s songs, filed a lawsuit against the band Led Zeppelin for copyright infringement. Although Led Zeppelin was known for a different music genre and had slightly modified lyrics, they were accused of using elements from one of Howlin’ Wolf’s songs, “Killing Floor.” The case was resolved out of court, with Led Zeppelin paying $45,123 to Howlin’ Wolf (born Chester Burnett). This settlement significantly altered the public perception of Led Zeppelin and the song “Killing Floor.

Additionally, subsequent reissues of Led Zeppelin II included a songwriting credit for Burnett​.

As a dedicated fan and admirer of blues music, I’ve come to realize that Zeppelin often drew inspiration from some of the genre’s most iconic artists. However, tunes like “Whole Lotta Love” and “Kashmir,” despite this influence, seem to have a unique flavor all their own, possibly because the band developed its distinct style over time. While we might not have given credit upfront for certain musical elements, experiences like these legal challenges likely pushed us towards making changes in our creative process.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but share my admiration for the influence of Joni Mitchell on Page and Plant. Later on, Plant himself confessed that the song “Going to California” from the 1971 album Led Zeppelin IV was a tribute to Mitchell. During their live shows, he would even subtly reference her name, showcasing the profound respect they held for this artist.

In the later stages of their career, Led Zeppelin grew increasingly cautious about openly crediting their sources of inspiration, leading to a more thoughtful blending of their musical influences.

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2024-11-16 16:01