[Will88]

You've quite a few examples from well known artists. I'd heard about Vanilla Ice and Under Pressure, but not the others.

I don't think this resulted in any legal action, but it's readily acknowledged that Chuck Berry's first hit, Maybellene, was based on a country song called Ida Red. Here's an article on how Maybellene came to be.

The Story Of Chuck Berry's 'Maybellene'

I can see some possible legal action when artists borrow well known riffs and melodies, but the ones that try to sue over some rhythm sequence, or use of specific instruments where the melodies are very different, seem ridiculous.

[monkeyshine]

Thanks for that story about Maybellene. I know that Berry was a big breakthrough for Chess Records, and of course for Rock n Roll and started ‘crossover’ music, but did not know that trivia. Very cool.

[sparklite2]

FTA

“Joe Edwards is the owner of Blueberry Hill, the St. Louis club where Chuck Berry still performs every month.”

That has to be Fats Domino’s source for his song of the same name.