Where there are legendary bands, there are also legendary controversies. For Led Zeppelin, two shadows followed them closely: accusations of satanic ties and claims of stealing music. Of the two, only one truly threatened their place in rock history.
From the start, rock ’n’ roll carried a reputation for rebellion. Its raw energy was often branded “the devil’s music,” and its stars were cast as ungodly figures by critics and parents alike. When Zeppelin burst onto the scene with staggering power and mysterious charisma, it didn’t take long for whispers to start: how could a band sound this otherworldly without help from darker forces?
Rumors spread quickly — stories that Zeppelin had made a pact with the devil, that they drank blood on tour buses, or even practiced secret rituals. None of it was ever proven, of course, but the myth only fueled their mystique. To fans, it was part of the band’s dangerous allure.
But beyond the tales of satanic imagery, there was another controversy — one much harder to ignore. Zeppelin were often accused of lifting music from others. Their sound blended blues, folk, and hard rock so seamlessly that some called it genius. Others, however, called it theft.
Jimi Hendrix himself wasn’t impressed. “I don’t think much of Led Zeppelin,” he once remarked. Those who knew him say he repeated the sentiment often, dismissing Zeppelin as unoriginal. Drummer Carmine Appice of Vanilla Fudge even recalled Hendrix telling him, “They stole from everybody.”
Examples circulated: “You Shook Me” was first recorded by Jeff Beck. “Dazed and Confused” carried echoes of Vanilla Fudge and “Beck’s Bolero.” Even the iconic riff in “Good Times Bad Times” was said to trace back to bassist Tim Bogert.
Over time, Zeppelin did give songwriting credit on certain tracks, but questions lingered — were they inspired, or were they borrowing too heavily? For many fans, it doesn’t matter; the music stands as some of the most powerful ever made. But for purists and critics, the debate remains part of Zeppelin’s complicated legacy.
In the end, Led Zeppelin’s legend is built on both brilliance and controversy. They may have been accused of stealing and even of dancing with the devil, but they also created music that changed rock forever — music that, love it or question it, refuses to be forgotten.
