**Blackmore Calls Out Zeppelin’s “Stolen” Sound – But Deep Purple Weren’t Exactly Saints Either**
In a candid and fiery resurfaced interview, **Ritchie Blackmore**, the enigmatic guitarist of **Deep Purple**, didn’t hold back when reflecting on the legacy of **Led Zeppelin**. While acknowledging their success, Blackmore accused the band of building their sound on the back of borrowed blues riffs, saying,
> “They took a lot from old blues artists—and didn’t always give credit where it was due.”
Blackmore’s comments weren’t without precedent. Over the years, **Led Zeppelin** has faced multiple lawsuits and criticisms for their use of uncredited material, particularly from early blues and folk musicians. Tracks like *“Whole Lotta Love”* and *“Dazed and Confused”* have been the subject of controversy, with critics pointing out their striking similarities to earlier compositions.
But while Blackmore may have thrown the first stone, fans and historians are quick to point out that **Deep Purple** wasn’t entirely innocent either. Early in their career, the band often leaned heavily on reinterpretations of classical pieces and blues standards—sometimes without formal acknowledgment. Even their breakthrough hit *“Black Night”* borrowed its bassline from Ricky Nelson’s *“Summertime.”*
What’s clear is that both bands emerged from a musical era where **reworking and reimagining source material was standard practice**—especially in the blues-driven rock scene of the late ’60s and early ’70s. However, the debate over **influence versus imitation** remains a hot topic among fans.
Still, despite the criticisms, both **Zeppelin and Deep Purple remain cornerstones of hard rock**, their legacies built not just on borrowed ideas, but on how they transformed them into something new, powerful, and iconic.
As one critic put it: “They all stole a little—but what they created was pure gold.”
