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!
Are you looking at CD's or the original LP's? I bet the original LP's do not give credit, hence, the lawsuit. The CD most likely gives credit to Dixon, et. al. b/c of the lawsuit.
I don't think Travelin'Riverside Blues was released before Bonzo died, but came out with the Box Set.
Regarding rap, much of it is crap, but I do like the Beasties first "rap" album (their first album was punk) some Run D.M.C., early N.W.A., select songs from Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dog.
But before you pigeonhole me, my favorite group is Pink Floyd followed by Zeppelin and the bloody Who. I also like country music. And I can't stand Oasis.
So my taste in music is eclectic. What can I say?