Tom Petty is reportedly in discussions with lawyers regarding filing a copyright lawsuit against Red Hot Chili Peppers and their producer Rick Rubin.
The Chili's were accused last month of plagiarising Petty's 1993 hit 'Mary Jane's Last Dance' on latest single 'Dani California'. Both tracks were produced by Rick Rubin and most people would agree that the similarities between the two tracks are striking.
''It's not just the chord progressions are the same - the entire theme of the song is the same, and some of the lyrics are the same,'' says Jared Morris, a producer at the radio station that exposed the accusations.
The accusation was revealed by Dan Gaffney during his morning radio show on WGMD in Delaware last month.
A music recording expert though says it is all conjecture. ''The opening parts of both songs have very similar grooves, they use pretty much the same chord progressions and the ways the melodies are patterned are similar. And it pretty much stops there,'' says Travis Jackson, an associate professor who specializes in recording technology.
He continued: ''Chord progressions are really hard to claim as a basis [for a lawsuit]. That's a pretty standard groove. You would have to do a lot more to say there's outright copying.''
The New York Post however are reporting this week that sources are telling them Petty is in discussions with his lawyers about filing a lawsuit, but Petty's spokesperson Heidi Robinson offered no further information, telling the Post, "I am well aware of this situation. (The two songs) certainly do sound similar, don't they?"
"I guess imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."
She adds, "Tom doesn't have a comment on this at all. I have no idea if he is going to sue the Chili Peppers, and am not prepared to make a comment on that."
|
39. Talk Crap.......
Written by Guest on Monday, 16 April 2007
The RHCP are the greatest. The 4 guys are musical geniuses, as if they would rip of someone elses song. It may be similar but definately not the same. Get a clue..... Keep up the good work boys. GO THE CHILI PEPPERS!!!!!!! | 38. Fuck RHCP
Written by Guest on Saturday, 17 March 2007
I use to like these guys, but then they ripped of Petty's song, and I lost all respect for them. You little pimple popping teenagers should pull your head out of your ass before you criticize a rock God. RHCP couldn't hold Petty's jock. | 37. Go red hot chili peppers
Written by Guest on Tuesday, 13 February 2007
I love them!They are awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | 36. tools
Written by Guest on Saturday, 05 August 2006
tom petty doesnt care, fags | 35. pointy
Written by dildo on Wednesday, 02 August 2006
the two songs sound nothing alike fuck all of you dip shits with no lives go suck a red hot wang with petty sauce | 34. hey
Written by Guest on Tuesday, 18 July 2006
Jimi should sue: that solo is EXACTLY the same as Purple Haze except that the notes are in a slightly different order and the tempo is slightly different. | 33. Mind your own business people... this is
Written by Bobby on Sunday, 16 July 2006
Why don't all of you people just stop nosing around in other peoples business... just because both RHCP and Petty are famous, doesn't give you all the right to sit here and gossip away about it... and as for the people that make comments like "Petty is a prick, and he sucks" are just incompetent morons who cannot find the words to describe what they feel, or they just don't know anything about the topic but want to complain and rant about something. You people are wasting web space.
Also, getting back to the mind your own business thing, how would you feel if you wrote a song, stopped making money off it, then someone else came along and copied it pretty much word for word/chord for chord, and started scooping up all of the profits for your hard work and all of your money and time put into promoting it?
This issue is between Tom Petty and RHCP.... not between you, Tom, and the RHCP... leave the poor man alone and mind your own business.... this is pathetic guys... | 32. Chill out
Written by Guest on Tuesday, 11 July 2006
I agree with #14. I'v loved both groups for a long time. I don't think that anyone in here can justify bashing either group either. There are similarities for sure but Tom has already said to Rolling Stone that he isn't suing. The RHCP obviously have something going for them. They've been writing genius, un-plagiarized music since the 80's and this is one mere incident. Anyone bashing Tom Petty has no idea what they're talking about either. He is a legend. Also, this is far from a publicity grab. It was the radio producer that brought the whoel thing up...Tom even said he wouldn't sue as I already said. | 31. Are you kidding me.
Written by Guest on Monday, 10 July 2006
I cannot believe how many uneducated people there are on this thing. They're = they are. It is the CHILI Peppers, not the Chilli Peppers. As far as I know, Tom Petty is NOT planning to sue the Chili Peppers, and everyone should stop freaking out with this who is better shit. That is not the issue, and FYI, comment #18, the Anthony Kiedis gave Crazy Town permission to use the riff from Pretty Little Ditty, so that's why you never heard about it, not because they were "being real and not complaining." | 30. Genius
Written by HellBent on Monday, 10 July 2006
"they take 4 effing chords and put them in different patterns and make a song? i dont care if they copied petty's song, thats just pathetic" -- Thats got to be one of the dumbest comments i've ever read. Do you realise how many songs are setup with 4 chords...some are even 1. So the fact that your arguing on "its dumb because its only 4 chords in a diffrent order" tells me that you dont play music, and dont listen to much either. | 29. dani california. what a name
Written by Guest on Monday, 10 July 2006
the rhcps suck. anyone that steals songs, pretty much the same god damn lyrics, should be sued! are you guys that retarded?! "Duuh, rhcp rule, man! petty should be flattered, dude!"
do copyrights mean fucking anything anymore?!
red hot chili peppers have sucked ever since the days after give it away (their only good song)
and who the FUCK names a song "Dani california?!"
she'd probably be a lezbo if she existed if she were real. dani. pfff
fuck all yall except tom petty supporters here
| 28. get your facts right before you judge pe
Written by the real rocker on Tuesday, 04 July 2006
are you thick they sound hardly like the chilis.the chillis use barchords and the theme is fuck all like it to be honest you can think the chili peppers are copy cats but its more like hendixs guitar work and the theme sound more like blurs house in the country. And beleive me if he thinks he can just sue anyone hes thick and also he doesnt have sanity if he think there exactly the same .just to state a fact i have listened to both songs and to be honest i hope the chilis win because this is ridiculous[LIST][B]null[/B] | 27. you people are so funny
Written by Guest on Sunday, 02 July 2006
i am a huge tom petty fan, and a pretty big RHCP fan. i just have to say that i dont think tom petty will sue. seriously, he isnt the type that would sue over a song that has the same theme. he knows that any music is gonna turn out similiar to something else. there are only so many chords and rhythms, you know. anyways, i dont really have an opinion on the whole plagerizing thing. mary jane's last dance is my favorite petty song, and dani california is one of the best new songs out. i dont care if they sound similiar. in fact, i kind of like that fact. of all the artists that the chili peppers could imitate, petty would be a great choice.
and for all you people who are bashing tom petty, id like to see you make a series of successful albums over a period of what? two decades, now? three? im sure RHCP have respect for him, and you as their fans, should as well. tom petty is a great artist, and id like to see you even show half as much talent as he has. RHCP are an awesome band as well. if you are a fan of them, and want to bag on tom petty, you must realize that the two bands are from two completely different time periods and that you are a punk that as no respect for classic rock.
im not saying anything against the chili peppers, i like them too, its just that none of you realize that they are 2 totally different bands that make 2 totally different types of music, even if they have one similiar song. dont go bagging on tom petty just cause you have no respect for classical rock and he isnt 'hip' enough for you. | 26. its called copyright infringment retards
Written by Red hot chili faggits on Sunday, 02 July 2006
wow you RHCP fags think that tom petty should be flattered. try and right a song and then have some losers with no shirts on steal it almost word for word and chord for chord and make millions off it. Yeah thats right so Tom, sue away and take as much money from those california ball licking greedy bastards. And to the boys of "RHCP" PUT YOUR FUKKING CLOTHES ON | 25. Kid with the Know How
Written by Guest on Wednesday, 28 June 2006
hey all you stupid ass peices of shit down there calling tom pettty shit and RHCP good music and quality artists....my ass...they take 4 effing chords and put them in different patterns and make a song? i dont care if they copied petty's song, thats just pathetic..fuck you people down there (not all of you, just the stupid ones | 24. This is so lame
Written by Katy on Tuesday, 27 June 2006
I can't even believe that Tom Petty is making such a big deal about this. Just because RHCP liked one of Tom Petty's works and they wanted one of their songs to sound like his doesn't meen he needs to through a big time consuming ordeal, that could prevent the best band ever from making there wonderful music. If anything, Petty should be flattered.If the RHCP copied one of my works I would be soo flattered. And, if I do remember correctly CrazyTown ripped RHCP off and did you hear them opening some huge lawsuit on them? No. I'm sure sometime in Pettys career he emmulated one of his favorite artist works also. So, don't be a hypocrite. I definitly don't think The RHCP should be sued. | 23. Irrelevant Petty Bashing
Written by Guest on Sunday, 25 June 2006
It's not about whether you think a band sucks or not. I've just listened to the RHCP song and if you can't hear the similarities between the songs, you need your ears examined. It's not just the chord progression, THE ACTUAL GROOVE IS IDENTICAL IN THE VERSES.
| 22. RHCP... are they really all that good?
Written by Guest on Friday, 23 June 2006
dani california is a lame song anyhow. I'm waiting for RHCP to move on from the exhausted california theme... boring. | 21. suing sucks, both bands rock
Written by Emily on Wednesday, 21 June 2006
no one should sue anyone. bands are always influenced by other bands so tom petty should just be flattered... the same way he "flattered" the Jayhawks. everyone needs to chillax because both RHCP and Tom Petty are irreplaceable. | 20. both are good, no one said anything
Written by Guest on Wednesday, 21 June 2006
let it go! | 19. copyright law people
Written by Guest on Tuesday, 20 June 2006
plain and simple. it doesn't matter who rulez or who sux. You can not copyright chord progressions or rhythm's. you can copyright a very specific lick or lyrics but in order to be plagarism it has to be an exact copy of the proposed material. If I want to take the chord progression or even the signature lick from any band, all I have to do is change/add/delete one or two notes, make even the slightest change to the rhythm and write new lyrics and I'm good as gold. If that weren't the case, every country, jazz, blues, rock, and rap artist would spend more time in court than on the stage or in the studio because of all the legal battles.
why do so many fail to look at the bigger picture and see the harm such pressidents can set over such a petty issue. I doubt he would sue because that would pave the way for every artist that he ever emulated in his music to do the same to him. Every musician emulates in some form or fashion the artists that influence them. Everyone from Black Sabbath and Led Zepplin and The Who to Rob Zombie or RHCP. It is art. Quit squabbling over who used a chord progression or theme first or you'll end up only being able to listen to classical, folk music and really early jazz and blues. (which incidentally was already recycling progressions and themes by the time the technology to record sound was invented.) | 18. oy vey
Written by Guest on Tuesday, 20 June 2006
there is no EVIDENCE that tom petty is even suing. and if he does, i think that is kinda lame. its music, just shut the fuck up and enjoy it!! and by the way. CrazyTown ripped off Red Hot Chili Peppers's "Pretty Little Ditty" from their Mothers Milk album, but you never heard about it did you. thats because rhcp are REAL artists and dont complain over stupid shit. | 17. Everybody chill
Written by Guest on Tuesday, 20 June 2006
You all are getting way too heated over this. One artist suing another over artistic content is not a new thing. Check your history. If someone does sue, it does not make them "Suck." Some artists have the right to sue so they are not ripped off. I am not saying the RHCP ripped anyone off or that Petty is being an ass. Tom Petty has being around a long time. Some new bands would have to be influenced by his music either intentially or not. RHCP have been around a long time too, in one form or another. I sure some new band will emmulate them in the next few years or so.
I hope the RHCP get to be called "old has beens" by some teenager in the future. All that means is that they will still be around for a long time making great music for us. | 16. The Jayhawks should be sueing Petty
Written by Guest on Tuesday, 20 June 2006
Petty is a prick and is an Idiot. The Jayhawks had their tone before Petty, so Petty better shut the fuck up. | 15. don't sue
Written by Theodore on Monday, 19 June 2006
Don't sue the best band in the world!!! | 14. to all the haters out there
Written by Guest on Sunday, 18 June 2006
Tom Petty is a great artist. The Chili Peppers are also a great band. Tom Petty has the right to do whatever he wants. He hasn't said that he is going to sue them, there is just talk that he may. And it's not him or the Peppers that are at fault. The same guy produced their albums. So to all of you out there who don't have any other place to let out their aggression, find a hobby. Both bands rock the house, and I think Tom Petty won't sue anyways. | 13. Pitty
Written by haarek on Saturday, 17 June 2006
Its not wrong to get inspriration wrong other musicians songs, however I dont believe RHCP was much inspirated by Tom Petty..Cuz Dani California rocks and Tom Petty sucks anus!! Actually when I listened to Mary Janes last dance I first started thinking: What? does this guy think he's Bob Dylan or something..cuz he sure tries to sound like him. Tom Petty does not own am/g/dm/am!!! | 12. Give it a rest...
Written by Guest on Friday, 16 June 2006
Sounds like a bit of cheap publicity to me from Mr Petty...
I was listening to Sweet Home Alabama the other day and thought it sounded quite similar to Dani California...
It just sounds like a popular key/chord progression etc.
How may variations are there?
It's not the same song... it's obviously different - if you start splitting hairs over it you will find a lot of similar songs... | 11. hmmmm
Written by Guest on Friday, 16 June 2006
tom petty does have a RIGHT to sue, but still it's a bit small of him to do so. Dani California is a great song, so why not just le them have it? If the peppers did rip it off then he should be proud that a band liked his song so much that they wanted to use it for theirs. If musicians would get past the money issue and look at what they have done to help influence music, then maybe there would be better musicians out there. Tom can sue if he wants and i will still love him and his music the same, but i just think its a huge waste of time, instead of sueing them, how about he write a song that kick's dani california's ass? seems to me that would be the way to go about things. | 10. How cheesy can u get? Tom Petty who?
Written by LCR on Thursday, 15 June 2006
Oh...Tom Petty! I remember him. Writes shitty, half ass songs. trying to re-live his past, piece of shit musician! I know who he is. He ripped off "last dance with maryjane" (as #5 already said) - I wonder though...... Did Tom Petty ever write a 28 track, double album filled with amazing songs like Stadium Arcadium? Hell no he didn't. John Frusciante makes Tom Petty look like an old, washed up, burnout, with no future in music. Oh wait, he alreay is an old washed up burnout with no future, too late. Maybe he should just blame himself for his lack of talent. I'll tell you what - Take away "dani California" from that album and it still destroys any album Tom Petty has ever done. he must be "free fallin" into the bottom of his bank account. |
Due to excessive spamming we now only allow registered users to leave comments at Stereoboard.com.
Please login or click the link above to register and leave your comment. |
News & Reviews 
