**Jimmy Page Defends “Stairway to Heaven” in Courtroom Showdown — And Wins**
In 2016, a moment worthy of rock-and-roll mythology unfolded in a Los Angeles courtroom. Jimmy Page, the legendary guitarist of Led Zeppelin, entered the courthouse not just as a defendant in a \$79 million lawsuit, but as a man ready to defend the soul of one of rock’s most iconic songs. The case? A copyright infringement claim alleging that the legendary opening riff of “Stairway to Heaven” had been lifted from Spirit’s 1968 instrumental track “Taurus.”
Michael Skidmore, representing the estate of the late Spirit guitarist Randy Wolfe (aka Randy California), argued that Page and Robert Plant had access to “Taurus” and had borrowed its descending chord progression. The similarities sparked a firestorm online, with fans and critics alike weighing in. But for Page, it wasn’t just a question of legal defense—it was about preserving a legacy.
Taking the stand, Page remained calm and composed. He testified that he had no memory of ever hearing “Taurus” prior to the controversy and that any resemblance was coincidental. Then came the cinematic turning point: Page picked up a guitar in front of the court and played the “Stairway” riff. The room fell silent. The performance wasn’t flashy—it was technical, precise, and quietly powerful.
Expert witnesses debated musical theory, but the emotional weight of seeing Page perform the riff himself couldn’t be ignored. In the end, the jury sided with Led Zeppelin, ruling that “Stairway to Heaven” was an original work.
The verdict did more than settle a lawsuit—it reaffirmed the integrity of a song that had defined generations. Page left the courtroom not only victorious, but vindicated. “Stairway to Heaven” remained what it always was: a haunting, timeless piece of music born not of theft, but of inspiration a
nd genius.
