A guy did a cover of 4:33 and Cage’s estate sued him. He argued in court that his silence was completely different. I think the judge threw them both out.
Another thing - auto tune and looks over talent seems to rule the day. If you look good, we can make you sound good.
Mama Cass would get laughed out of an audition today because they can take a cute blonde and make her sound the same. So would Meat Loaf - who actually probably was on numerous occasions. Yet their voices resonated with people that didn’t care what they looked like.
Today’s music isn’t honest music. Maybe that’s the problem.
It wasn't a cover which is why Cage's estate sued. Since it was longer than 4 minutes and 33 seconds (by a few seconds) the judge said the estate had to show exactly which 4 minutes and 33 seconds were lifted from the original. Since they couldn't the case was tossed.