THE LAW SCHOOL OF ROCK

The Law School of Rock


Songwriters sure can be a litigious bunch. Somebody a lot smarter than me once described rock and roll as “three chords and an attitude”, and I’ve never really been able to improve on that pithy definition. If that is true, then it stands to reason that ideas overlap. History has also proven that pre-existing songs often provide inspiration for subsequent songwriters, so why do some writers believe that they own a three-chord progression supporting a four-note melody, simply because they published it first? In my opinion, the notion is ludicrous, so I have decided to dedicate this show to a few of the most famous and/or infamous lawsuits concerning popular music.
If you have an opinion of your own on these issues, please post your response or write me directly at americanhitnetwork.com. I will take on all comers!
Here’s a list of the litigants vs. the defendants;

Litigant / Defendant

Tom Petty – Mary Jane’s Last Dance /Red Hot Chili Peppers – Dani, California
The Chiffons – He’s So Fine /George Harrison – My Sweet Lord
Chuck Berry – You Can’t Catch Me /The Beach Boys – Surfin’ USA
Huey Lewis – I Need a New Drug /Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters
The Kinks – All Day and All of the Night /The Doors – Hello I Love You


Now, those who DESERVED it;

Willie Dixon – You Shook Me /Led Zeppelin – You Shook Me
The Police – Every Breath You Take /P. Diddy – I’ll Be Missing You


And the ULTIMATE injustice;

The Rolling Stones – The Last Time The Verve – Bittersweet Symphony