I Can't Quit You Baby - Led Zeppelin's Influences

LED ZEPPELIN'S INFLUENCES

I Can't Quit You Baby

Led Zeppelin included two Willie Dixon songs on their debut album, both of which were properly credited to Dixon. Otis Rush originally recorded "I Can't Quit You Baby" in the 1950s. According to Jesse Gress, however, it was Rush's re-recording of the song in 1966 that most influenced Jimmy Page. "For their version of 'I Can't Quit You Baby,' Zeppelin emulates the Otis Rush Blues Band's 1966 Vanguard version on Chicago/The Blues/Today, which contains the turnaround licks absent from the original '50s Cobra release. Jimmy paraphrased many of the fills between vocals and played the beginning of Otis' solo note-for-note. Rush's heavy attack and creamed phrasing undoubtedly made a big impression on Page." [1] . While that may be true, Led Zeppelin did put their own unique stamp on this song and, most importantly, did not try to take the songwriting credit.

Recommended Listening

		Otis Rush - The Essential Otis Rush, The Classic Cobra Recordings 1956-1958

		Various Artists - Chicago/The Blues/Today Vol. 2

		Willie Dixon - The Chess Box

Compilations of Original Versions

"I Can't Quit You Baby" by Otis Rush is included on Led Zeppelin's Sources of Inspiration and Zeppelin Classics. A version recorded by Willie Dixon, who wrote the song, is included on Led Astray.

Notes
1.		Jesse Gress, "Zeppelineage: The Roots of Jimmy Page," Guitar Player (August, 1993), p. 80.

The Blues and Folk
Roots of
Led Zeppelin's Music.
Are They Plagiarists?

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