Jimmy Page has testified in the on going plagiarism trial over their anthem 'Stairway to Heaven'. Page was the founder and guitarist for Led Zeppelin as well as the main songwriter. He is now one of the defendants in the plagiarism trial
Page said that he had not heard the track 'Tauros' by Spirit until a few years ago. The claim was brought forward by Michael Skidmore, a trustee for the estate of late Spirit guitarist and songwriter, Randy California. The claim states that Page copied the opening minor key riff of 'Tauros' and used it for their iconic track 'Stairway to Heaven'.
Associated Press have reported Page said, "something like that would stick in my mind. It was totally alien to me". Led Zeppelin and Spirit performed together at the same shows in 1968 and 1969 and it is thought this is the time when Page would have heard 'Tauros'. Page also acknowledged that he did have three records from the group in his personal collection. He also said Led Zeppelin did use the opening riff from another unnamed Spirit track for a medley section of a set list used during a tour of Scandinavia.
Other surviving band members Robert Plant and John Paul Jones are expected to testify later in the trial and were both present in the court room. Jones is not a defendant in the case but is expected to give evidence. Former Spirit bassist Mark Andes also gave evidence at the trial saying Spirit played 'Tauros' at a show in Denver in 1968 where Zeppelin were the opening act.
Plant and Page were named as the two defendants in the case by Skidmore after a judge ruled in April that the songs were similar enough to go to trial.