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First of all, I like Led Zeppelin. I own most of their albums.

I also like the "pre-opening their stupid political mouths" Beasties, specifically "License to Ill," "Paul's Boutique" & "Ill Communication."

Having said that, do a Google search on "Led Zeppelin sued stealing riffs." Led Zeppelin stole riffs. They have been successfully sued for stealing riffs. The Stones have done it, Dylan did it, Oasis does it, and rappers do it. It is NOT exclusive to rappers.

http://www.geocities.com/jackfeeny/ledzeppelin.htm

http://www.furious.com/perfect/jimmypage.html

Whatever. As I write this, I'm looking at the liner notes of Zeppelin 1, and they gave full credit to Willie Dixon for "You Shook Me" and "I Can't Quit You Babe". Dixon also gets credit for "Whole Lotta Love" on 2. I don't know which album it was on, but I know Zep gave Robert Johnson credit for "Travelin' Riverside Blues".

Zeppelin may very well have been sued for "stealing" riffs...though I've never heard about it until today, and I've been a fan of theirs since 1977 (age 12). Still, I have no reason to doubt you. Stones? Dylan? I'm not surprised. Clapton? Hendrix? They probably did, too. Oasis? Who are they? Oh yeah...that Beatles cover band.

I guess I'm more willing to give the likes of Zeppelin and the Stones a break because, unlike (c)rap acts, they're real musicians, who play their (real) instruments (not computers, drum machines, and samplers), don't lip synch, and still manage to write 99% of their own material. Zep, the Stones, Dylan, and even Oasis (even though I can't stand them) have more talent and creativity in one burnt-out brain cell than every (c)rap/hip-hop/techno/house/ad nauseum act ever put together combined.

Music is an art form comprised of rhythm, melody and harmony. (c)Rap has no melody, therefore has no harmony, and contains only rhythm. Therefore, it is only one-third music. I've never been able to stomach it, and the fact that it has been as successful as it has, again, goes to show Mencken was right. "Three chord, no waiting" bands like the Ramones can at the least play three chords, but (c)rap has absolutely no...zip, zero, nada...redeeming qualities, despite it's popularity. Of course, neither do professional wrestling, MTV, American Idol, all "reality" shows, Kid Suck, Tom Green, etc. I'm glad you like Zeppelin, because unlike the Beastie Bitchboys, they were a real band. 100 years from now, people will still play Zep tunes, but will likely have long since forgotten about (c)rap. I hope.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!