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I heard something quite startling the other day, i was transfering a load of MP3’s from one drive to another, and i came across an ELO greatest hits folder, (old and dusty, hardly played) i clicked on a song called ‘10538 Overture’ from 1971.
Paul Weller had a hit with a song co-written by himself called ‘Changin’ Man’ the opening riff over 8 bars is exactly the same as ‘10538 Overture’, note for note, even the same tone on the guitar.
Weller had blatently nicked that riff off Geff Lynne, but then i heard a story about The Verves ‘Bitter sweet symphony’ where they had supposedly (with permission) lifted The Rolling Stones ‘Last Time’ riff, and put it in the chorus of the song, its so far under stings, keyboards, bass drums and vocals that i cant even hear it, ive listened very carefuly too, anyway,
Allen Klein who owns the copyright to pre 1970 Stones songs, sued the Verve, he said they used a longer sample than they had agreed.
So The Verve settle out of court and sign over all the copyright to him.After all that is settled, Andrew loog Oldham the Stones manager before Klein steps in and takes them to the cleaners, to add insult to injury, the song ‘Bitter sweet’ goes on to win a Grammy and Jagger and Richards get the credit!! and all this for a sample that i cant even hear!
So how the hell did Weller get away with the ELO stolen riff? maybe it all comes down to playing the notes yourself, and not sampling them.
Then i suppose Geff Lynn nicked that riff off of The Beatles with ‘Dear Prudence’ , But Weller of course nicked ‘Taxman’ from the Beatles for his and the Jam’s ‘Start’ Single, which went to No1 for a few weeks.
Anyone know of any other stolen riffs?
(Keith Richards nicked ‘Brown Sugar’ off of me in 1970, but do you think i can prove it? and i was only 5, damned Stones legal team)
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