On this day in 2016, rock legend Jimmy Page traded the stage for the witness stand in a Los Angeles courtroom. At the center of the drama was one of the most iconic songs in rock history—Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven”—and a \$79 million copyright lawsuit that threatened to tarnish its legacy. The accusation? That the song’s haunting opening riff had been lifted from “Taurus,” a 1968 instrumental track by the band Spirit, penned by late guitarist Randy Wolfe.
Representing Wolfe’s estate, trustee Michael Skidmore argued that Page and Robert Plant had borrowed more than inspiration. With both bands sharing stages in the late ’60s, the claim seemed plausible. But Jimmy Page remained composed, cool under pressure. He testified that while he owned a copy of Spirit’s album, he had never consciously heard “Taurus” until years later—when internet chatter ignited the controversy.
Then came the dramatic moment that seemed scripted for Hollywood. Page, asked to demonstrate, took up a guitar in the courtroom. Before the judge and jury, he played the delicate arpeggios of “Stairway to Heaven,” carefully distinguishing them from those in “Taurus.” Music experts were brought in. Chord progressions were dissected. And ultimately, the court found that while the songs shared a similar descending pattern, it was not original enough to be protected by copyright.
Led Zeppelin walked out with their legacy intact. The ruling reaffirmed the creative integrity of “Stairway to Heaven,” and Page’s calm, measured testimony helped cement it. It wasn’t just a legal victory—it was a moment that underscored the thin line between influence and infringement in music. Nearly five decades after the song’s release, Led Zeppelin had once again proven their place among rock’s untouchable legends.
