Names and faces
A federal court jury in Los Angeles decided that Led Zeppelin did not steal a riff from an obscure 1960s instrumental tune to use for the introduction of its classic rock anthem “Stairway to Heaven.” The verdict settles a point that music fans have debated for decades but didn’t find its way to court until two years ago, when the trustee for the late Randy Craig Wolfe filed a copyright lawsuit. The trust claimed that Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page lifted a passage that Wolfe, better known as Randy California, wrote for “Taurus,” a short work he recorded with his band Spirit in 1968. Page, 72, and singer Robert Plant, 67, showed little emotion as the verdict was read, then hugged their lawyers. Jurors found the trust had cleared a few hurdles, including that Page and Plant had “access” to “Taurus,” meaning they would have been familiar with it. Trust attorney Francis Malofiy said he was sad and disappointed by the jury’s decision. “The reality is that we proved access, but they could never hear what they had access to,” Malofiy said. “It’s bizarre.” Page and Plant said their creation was an original. In several hours of animated testimony, they described the craft behind one of rock’s best- known songs, all the while denying knowledge of one of the genre’s least- known tunes. On Thursday, Page and Plant issued a brief statement, saying they are grateful to the jury and look forward to putting the matter behind them. Wearing sharp suits and their hair pulled back in ponytails, both musicians left court without speaking publicly.
This year’s Kennedy Center honorees include musicians who span genres including pop, rock, gospel, blues, folk and classical — and an actor known for his extraordinary range. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced Thursday that actor Al Pacino, rock band the Eagles, Argentine pianist Martha Argerich, gospel and blues singer Mavis Staples and singer- songwriter James Taylor will be honored for influencing American culture through the arts. The honorees will be celebrated at a Dec. 4 gala. For the Eagles, the recognition will be bittersweet. The band was tapped for the honor last year but postponed its appearance because of founding member Glenn Frey’s failing health. Frey died in January. For Pacino, the star of The Godfather trilogy who has long been regarded as one of the great American actors, the honor is arguably overdue. Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter, who’s had the job for two years, said she didn’t know why Pacino hadn’t been selected sooner. “When I called and invited him, it was an enthusiastic yes,” Rutter said. “You could say all of them are overdue or all of them are exactly at the right moment. We have a great opportunity to recognize people who are still active and yet have accomplished so much.”