Wayne's World Stairway to Heaven Gag

[Edwin Hawley]

This is the closest I'll ever get to starting a Zeppelin thread.

I understand that the guitar intro was changed for the home video release due to some legalities. So, the version with the joke in tact hasn't been seen since it's theatrical exhibition?

What I want to know is if there is ANY way to see the original version, the way I remember it. Are there pirated copies in circulation? I apologize if this last question goes against forum rules.

I know I could just turn the volume down on my TV when playing the DVD, and play the notes on my guitar in sync with the image, but it's not the same.:)

[XMIAudioTech]

I'd have to run it again to be sure, but my 35mm print has Wayne playing what I remember to be just three random 'bad' notes (its assumed he really doesn't know how to play in the movie) before the clerk steps in with the 'No Stairway' rule.

-Aaron

[Edwin Hawley]

I'd have to run it again to be sure, but my 35mm print has Wayne playing what I remember to be just three random 'bad' notes (its assumed he really doesn't know how to play in the movie) before the clerk steps in with the 'No Stairway' rule.

-Aaron

Your print is what was shown in theatres? I could have sworn he played the actual opening notes to Stairway (I saw it twice in the theatre), but it's been a long time so it's possible I created a false memory. I will also add that Wayne has his left hand correctly positioned at a 5th fret aminor chord which is how the intro is played.

[Edwin Hawley]

Ok, I just saw this on IMDB...

The "Stairway to Heaven" guitar riff was changed for the international, cable, and videotape releases to a generic riff because of disputes in obtaining rights to the first five notes of the song, which appear only in the US theatrical release.

Back to my original question...

[SoundAdvice]

They should have licensed the publishing from SPIRIT's version of those chords and watch the LZ lawyers get their underwear in a knot.

SA

[Johnny66]

Didn't he just play a generic A minor chord?

Quite honestly, I abhor the film so it's not an issue for me. Apologies - don't mean to thread crap.

[leopoldstotch]

They should have licensed the publishing from SPIRIT's version of those chords and watch the LZ lawyers get their underwear in a knot.

SA

Oh gimme a break.:sigh: :rolleyes: :yawn:

[Steve Carras]

I'm familiar with that case...I thought I was the only one who noticed it (others can mention "Little Darlings"and the original "Gumby" soundtrack which has been reissued,nah...I'lll mention that....it was changed from
the canned production music (EMI PHOTOPLAY LIBRARY,CAPITOL Q PRODUCTION MUSIC, JOHN SEELY ASSOCIATES, CINEMUSIC/LANGLOIS, & MUSIC FOR FILMS & TGELEVIISON, and some others) to a bad synth score due to music rights but producer Art Clokey and son resolved it.YouTube and In2TV and best of all, a new Gumby Essentials set are signs of the new restoration.)

[Burningfool]

They should have licensed the publishing from SPIRIT's version of those chords and watch the LZ lawyers get their underwear in a knot.

SA

:agree: :righton:

Chris

[JBStephens]

If one has to ask Led Zeppelin's permission to use five musical NOTES, then why don't all these gizmo companies have to ask Apple's permission to name their products with a lowercase "i"...? After all, if you can claim notes as your own, then you should be able to claim a letter of the alphabet.

[Koptapad]

I'd....just three random 'bad' notes ......

-Aaron

That's pretty much what I ever heard. Just random bad notes. It was a joke. Kinda like a kid butchering Smoke On The Water in a guitar store.

[reechie]

Shout Factory's SCTV box sets had to delete several musical parodies that they couldn't get song rights for, including a Rick Moranis Polish language version of "Stairway To Heaven" from the first Smenge Brothers sketch. And of course, there's that whole WKRP In Cincinatti DVD fiasco.

[trucker]

I haven't seen Wayne's World since it came out, but for what it's worth I remember him playing enough to identify it as Stairway. But I couldn't be sure at this remove.

What annoys me is that Richard Linklater wanted to use the song "Rock and Roll" at the end of his film Dazed and Confused, where it would have fit perfectly, but Led Zeppelin (specifically Robert Plant, I believe) wouldn't give permission. Fair enough, but some years later I started hearing it in car commercials?

[Johnny66]

What annoys me is that Richard Linklater wanted to use the song "Rock and Roll" at the end of his film Dazed and Confused, where it would have fit perfectly, but Led Zeppelin (specifically Robert Plant, I believe) wouldn't give permission. Fair enough, but some years later I started hearing it in car commercials?

Sure, that's a legitimate remark. This forum seems quite open to classic tracks being used in commercials, but for me it's a tragedy - existing audiences being sold out to advertisers.

Still, I think 'Dazed and Confused' is a poor film, and if Plant's reasoning was that he didn't particularly want Zeppelin associated with it, then I agree.

[8tracks]

I always thought they should've used and credited Badfinger's "Walk Out In the Rain" (2 second clip attached here as a zipped mp3), which was released 20 months before Stairway, for three notes in that scene.

There was a really big deal when Almost Famous came out because Led Zeppelin had always turned every film request down... or so the story was told. Actually "Kashmir" was used in Fast Times, but since Cameron Crowe had a friendship with LZ, he got it for that and later "That's The Way" for Almost Famous. Richard Linklater and Jack Black sent LZ a short film begging to use "Immigrant Song" in School of Rock, which worked. That was aroung the time of the Cadilac commercial, so LZ's music has become less sacred since.

There must be different rules for documentaries because One Day in September used "Four Sticks" and Bowling for Columbine used "Happiness is a Warm Gun" at a time when neither Zeppelin nor the Beatles (due to George's health/ passing) were allowing songs in any movies.

BTW, I happen to like both Wayne's World and Dazed And Confused... the latter being one of my (and Quentin Tarantino's) all time favorite movies. School of Rock I think is just so-so.

[Oatsdad]

Still, I think 'Dazed and Confused' is a poor film, and if Plant's reasoning was that he didn't particularly want Zeppelin associated with it, then I agree.

Well, a lot of people think "D&C" was a good film - I'm one of them - and even if it stunk, I think you're giving Led Zep too much credit. I seriously doubt they watched it and then decided to nix the song.

For the longest time, they had an essentially blanket policy not to allow their songs to be used anywhere. Cameron Crowe got permission a couple of times because of his relationship with them, but I don't think anybody else got past them.

Now - to put it bluntly - they're whores. They'll give their music out to the highest bidder without any qualms, it appears. If they let "Shrek the Third" have "The Immigrant Song" and they'll shill for cars, then it's clear they don't care any more about "protecting the music"...

[Koptapad]

Well, ... then it's clear they don't care any more about "protecting the music"...

I think it's that "I don't have much time left" attitude.

[trucker]

Sure, that's a legitimate remark. This forum seems quite open to classic tracks being used in commercials, but for me it's a tragedy - existing audiences being sold out to advertisers.

I'm with you on that. I won't even get us started on recent abuses of Beatles songs, it's too depressing...

Still, I think 'Dazed and Confused' is a poor film, and if Plant's reasoning was that he didn't particularly want Zeppelin associated with it, then I agree.

And I'm with 8tracks and Oatsdad on this one. :) Not sure if this is why I like it, but speaking of selling out and whatnot, I find it a really authentic, uncommercial depiction of teenage life. (Well, in my case more reminiscent of college. My high school years weren't nearly that adventurous.)

[Oatsdad]

I think it's that "I don't have much time left" attitude.

You're saying you think Led Zep is selling their music for commercials and whatnot because they'll die soon? :confused:

[minerwerks]

Your print is what was shown in theatres? I could have sworn he played the actual opening notes to Stairway (I saw it twice in the theatre), but it's been a long time so it's possible I created a false memory. I will also add that Wayne has his left hand correctly positioned at a 5th fret aminor chord which is how the intro is played.I'm positive you are right. There was definitely a change from the original theatrical version. I'm not aware of any way to obtain the original version, unless the clip was included in any TV promotion at the time. I have an MTV "Wayne's World" special on tape that I'll check.

[Evan L]

You're saying you think Led Zep is selling their music for commercials and whatnot because they'll die soon? :confused:

Retirement fund?

Evan

[SoundAdvice]

Now - to put it bluntly - they're whores. They'll give their music out to the highest bidder without any qualms, it appears. If they let "Shrek the Third" have "The Immigrant Song" and they'll shill for cars, then it's clear they don't care any more about "protecting the music"...

Doesn't Page have about 3 kids under 10 and works with his wife who has some children's house charity in Brazil?

I think the reasoning behind the car commercial and other licensing was radio was starting to ignore their catalogue beyond the usual dozen songs.

SA

[Oatsdad]

Retirement fund?


That sounds like the claim that Jagger is saving Stones rarities to fund his retirement. Seriously, these guys have megamillions now - even if they never earned another penny, I think they'd do fine in retirement. Is an extra million or two actually going to alter Robert Plant's lifestyle?

[AndrewS]

Well, a lot of people think "D&C" was a good film - I'm one of them - and even if it stunk, I think you're giving Led Zep too much credit. I seriously doubt they watched it and then decided to nix the song.
:agree: and I enjoyed it (and own it), too!


Now - to put it bluntly - they're whores. They'll give their music out to the highest bidder without any qualms, it appears. If they let "Shrek the Third" have "The Immigrant Song" and they'll shill for cars, then it's clear they don't care any more about "protecting the music"...

I'm also in agreement. On the one hand, I understand groups wanting to milk the last few dollars out of their work from so many years ago, but on the other hand, it's sad to hear great music used to peddle anything and everything.

[Edwin Hawley]

Y'all have turned my highly respectable thread into a kind of "whore".