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In reply to the discussion: WOW! Robert Plant Hints at Led Zeppelin Reunion Next Year [View all]harmonicon
(12,008 posts)Nice try though.
By ripping off other musicians, Page and Plant did two things. The one that gets me most and can't really be made up for is that they were able to build a reputation as songwriters by claiming the work of others. While they paid for it later in some cases, there is no way they can give back their career, and there is little the law can do about them promoting the artists they stole from in a manner that would have happened if they'd originally given them credit.
The other thing is the legal and monetary aspect of it, which I feel less strongly about, but still goads me a lot. I don't think they intended to be racist, because they did steal from people pretty equally, but there is a definite sting of cultural imperialism that comes from ripping of African American music. Black Americans had it so easy in the 60's, right? I mean, I wasn't there, but it was all just smooth sailing for them, wasn't it? Fair wages, equal opportunities, etc. Stealing from African Americans in the 60's is just no big thing, right? It's just like eating fajitas, isn't it?