George Pimentel/WireImageJimmy Page took the stand again Thursday in the Los Angeles trial stemming from a lawsuit claiming Led Zeppelin ripped off the Spirit song “Taurus” for its classic tune “Stairway to Heaven.”
The guitarist was played “Chim Chim Cher-ee” from Mary Poppins, with the plaintiff side attempting to suggest it was a potential inspiration for “Stairway to Heaven” as well. Page said that wasn’t the case.
Page admitted to hearing Spirit songs on the radio in the late 1960s, but didn’t mention “Taurus” as one of them.
Kevin Hanson, a former member of the band Huffamoose, said on the stand that “Stairway” and “Taurus” are similar. During cross-examination, the defense revealed that Hanson was being paid to testify and that he personally knows plaintiff’s attorney Francis Malofiy, who represents the trustee that manages late Spirit guitarist Randy California‘s estate.
At one point, Malofiy played a guitar version of Hanson playing “Taurus” and “Stairway” over each other, and the two sounded as if they were in harmony and sync.
The defense is expected to start presenting its case Friday.
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