Back in 1982, a Christian tv show claimed that a love message to Satan is heard when Stairway to Heaven is reversed.
35 years ago today, Paul Crouch of the Christian-based network Trinity Broadcasting claimed that hidden messages were contained in many popular rock songs through a technique called backmasking.
One example of such hidden messages that Crouch cited was Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven. The alleged message, which occurs during the middle section of the song ("If there's a bustle in your hedgerow, don't be alarmed now...") when played backward, was purported to contain the Satanic references "Here's to my sweet Satan" and "He will give those with him 666”
Following the claims made in the TV program, Phil Wyman, an assemblyman from California proposed a state law that would require warning labels on records containing backward masking.
The band itself has for the most part ignored such claims. In response to the allegations, Swan Song Records issued the statement: "Our turntables only play in one direction—forwards." Led Zeppelin audio engineer Eddie Kramer called the allegations "totally and utterly ridiculous. Why would they want to spend so much studio time doing something so dumb?"
Robert Plant expressed frustration with the accusations a year later; saying "To me it's very sad, because 'Stairway to Heaven' was written with every best intention, and as far as reversing tapes and putting messages on the end, that's not my idea of making music."
Take a listen below and tell us what you think.
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