Before I get started, I’d like to say that I’m a huge fan of Led Zeppelin. That being said, someone (anonymous) emailed me about a month ago suggesting the idea for this post. They said they heard Howard Stern discussing the Album Led Zeppelin I, and that all of the songs, with the exception of Good Times Bad Times, were stolen from other artists, and writing credit was not given. Actually, writing credit WAS given, but only after Led Zeppelin’s Greatest Hits album was released. The original artists were never paid royalties for their works, but from what I understand, royalties are now being paid, but dated from the Greatest Hits album.
After many hours of searching for these songs, I now have all of the original artists’ versions of the songs from the album Led Zeppelin I., along with Led Zeppelin’s version. You decide – Innovators or Plagiarists?
#1 Good Times Bad Times
This appears to be their only original track on this album.
#2 Babe I’m Gonna Leave You
Original Artist: Joan Baez
Original Song Title: Babe I’m Gonna Leave You
[audio:http://www.listropolis.com/audio/joan_baez_gonna_leave.mp3]
Led Zeppelin’s Version
[audio:http://www.listropolis.com/audio/zeppelin_gonna_leave.mp3]
#3 You Shook Me
Original Artist: Willie Dixon
Original Song Title: You Shook Me
[audio:http://www.listropolis.com/audio/willie_dixon_you_shook_me.mp3]
Led Zeppelin’s Version
[audio:http://www.listropolis.com/audio/zeppelin_you_shook_me.mp3]
