The story goes that Paul McCartney rolled out of bed one morning in 1965, went to the piano, and wrote “Yesterday” in a matter of minutes. Later, McCartney became concerned, fearing that, since the song came to him so easily, he might have unintentionally committed musical plagiarism. He played “Yesterday” for a number of friends, but no one recognized the tune, so McCartney forged ahead, recording one of the most covered songs in the modern repertoire.
Other composers have not been so careful. A prime offender in the eyes of many is Led Zeppelin. Like other bands who were inspired by the blues, Zeppelin utilized familiar musical motifs as the basis for their songs, claiming that the music was “traditional” and therefore in the public domain. Unfortunately for Page, Plant et al., some of this material was actually under copyright, necessitating various settlements, e.g. paying Chess Records songwriter Willie Dixon for the use of his “You Need Love” in Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.”
Singer-songwriter Jake Holmes sued Jimmy Page in 2010 for copyright infringement, claiming that the guitarist reworked his song “Dazed and Confused” without permission and took sole writing credit when it was released on Led Zeppelin’s first album. The matter was settled out of court, but now Holmes has sued Page again, this time for the use of “Dazed and Confused” in the recent documentary Becoming Led Zeppelin without giving him credit for “inspiration” (this was part of the previous settlement).
But you know who was really chill about this sort of thing? Tom Petty, that’s who. When it was pointed out that there were certain similarities between the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Dani California” and his own “Mary Jane’s Last Dance,” Petty said, “I seriously doubt that there is any negative intent there. And a lot of rock and roll songs sound alike. Ask Chuck Berry.”
Ticket Alert
Homeboy Hayes Carll will perform at the Heights Theater on Thursday, September 4. He’s on the road in support of his latest album, We’re Only Human, a record that Carll says contains a personal message. “I feel like there’s been a voice riding shotgun all my life, pushing me to do better, but I’ve struggled to listen to it,” Carll explains. “The idea behind this record was to do the personal work I needed to do, then codify those lessons in song to serve as sort of breadcrumbs to get me back on the trail if, and inevitably when, I get lost again.” Tickets are currently on sale and going fast, so don’t miss out.
Two shows of note are coming to the White Oak Music Hall this fall, and tickets for both are on sale right now. On Sunday, September 28, the Brian Jonestown Massacre (come one now, have there been many bands with a better name?), under the leadership of the always unpredictable Anton Newcombe, will perform at the venue, followed by avant-popsters Stereolab on Saturday, November 1.
None of that “nepo-baby” crap when it comes to Wolfgang Van Halen. Yes, he toured with his father, Edward Van Halen, when he was a teenager, but he has worked hard to establish his own band, Mammoth, and his own sound. Tickets are on sale now for his show at the House of Blues on Wednesday, November 5.
The music scene in Los Angles in the early ‘80s was pretty wild. Punk, roots, pop and metal all melded together to create a scene that gave anyone with sufficient desire a chance to make it. Two of those bands – though not obviously similar – were X and Los Lobos. Nevertheless, both outfits found that they had plenty in common, and there has been a longtime bond between the acts. In celebration of “99 Years of Rock and Roll,” they will tour the country this fall, stopping at the Smart Financial Centre on Saturday, November 22, with plenty of good seats still available.
Concerts This Week
It hasn’t been easy for Katy Perry as of late. Following the criticism surrounding her recent highly publicized (albeit brief) space voyage, Perry said that she felt like “a human piñata.” We can only assume that this statement refers to a metaphorical pummeling, as opposed to being stuffed with candy. Bravely marching on, Perry will perform tonight at Toyota Center.
Who doesn’t love some good zydeco? If that’s you, then get your groove on at the Big Easy on Friday, when Step Rideau and the Zydeco Outlaws crank up the funky good times on Kirby. Rideau grew up in Louisiana surrounded by the Creole culture, so it doesn’t get any more authentic than this.
Any Houston concert by the Tedeschi-Trucks Band is cause for celebration. But when Buddy Guy is the opening act, it’s an occasion for local blues lovers to absolutely lose their collective shit. The show takes place on Saturday at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, and it promises to be an embarrassment of riches. If you dug the Allman Brothers back when, you will dig Tedeschi-Trucks now.
There aren’t many like Matisyahu, the singer / rapper / beatboxer who uses his Jewish heritage as the thematic basis for many of his songs, along with a generous helping of reggae on the musical side. Though he does not currently rock the Hasidic look that he adopted before gaining fame, Matisyahu says that he remains deeply spiritual. Check him out on Tuesday at the House of Blues. ‘Cause Knowledge is Power: Matisyahu takes his name from a leader of the Maccabees’ revolt against the Seleucid Empire around 167 BCE.
Ordinary Elephant is a big-deal folk duo which has its roots in Houston. Pete and Crystal Damore began their career performing at open mics around town in 2011, and since then the husband and wife team has traveled the country, receiving numerous accolades on the way including the Artist of the Year designation at the 2018 International Folk Music Awards. You can catch them at the Mucky Duck on Tuesday.
