This Day In History: Led Zeppelin's 4th Album Released 1971

This Day In History: Led Zeppelin's 4th album was released on this day in 1971. It has gone on to sell over 37 million copies worldwide. The iconic song “Stairway to Heaven” is part of an ongoing lawsuit. The band Spirit has claimed that the arpeggio opening is too similar to their 1968 song “Taurus.” After listening to Taurus, I kinda have to agree.

Spirit by Taurus

Robert Plant was a fan of the Lord of the Rings and the song Misty Mountain Hop is a nod to JRR Tolkien, as was the Battle of Evermore.

Battle of Evermore - Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings

But Led Zep was not the only band that loved Tolkien. Rush released a song called Rivendell back in 1975.

Rush's Rivendell

...and Megadeth's "This Day We Fight!" was inspired by Aragorn’s moving battle speech in The Return of the King.

This Day We Fight