Sony Music UK supports the ‘Make It FAIr’ campaign, calling on policymakers to respect UK copyright law and not let Gen AI companies train on music without permission. pic.twitter.com/7CS9iuIM80

— Sony Music UK (@SonyMusicUK) February 25, 2025

In a recent submission to a UK government consultation on copyright laws, Sony Music expressed concerns that potential changes in legislation could exacerbate the problem. Rob Stringer, Chairman of Sony Music Group, said: “AI is going to change the world, however, there can be no question that creators must be rewarded for being part of this technological revolution. Safeguarding the existing UK copyright model ensures AI developers and content owners can innovate whilst also recognising the value of the works on which their products are based”. Several celebrities have publicly addressed the issue of the proposed copyright law changes, including Elton John, Kate Bush, Paul McCartney, and Jimmy Page. These musicians have actively voiced their concerns regarding the unauthorised use of artists’ works in AI training, advocating for stronger protections within the creative industry.

 

 

 

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Executives at Sony believe that the 75,000 identified deepfake recordings are only a fraction of the total AI-generated content circulating online. Unlike traditional copyright enforcement, identifying and removing AI-generated material is a complex and time-consuming process that relies heavily on manual detection methods. Artificial intelligence has become an increasingly powerful tool in music production, enabling users to create hyper-realistic vocal imitations of popular artists. From AI-generated covers to entirely new songs mimicking famous voices, the technology has raised ethical and legal questions about intellectual property in the digital age. For example, here is an AI-generated Amy Winehouse singing Miley Cyrus’ ‘Flowers‘ in a jazz style:

Sony’s actions reflect broader concerns within the music industry about the implications of AI-generated content. The company has urged policymakers to implement stricter copyright protections, ensuring that artists maintain control over their work and are fairly compensated for their contributions. Several other major record labels have also voiced their concerns, including Universal Music Group (UMG) which is advocating for AI protections in licensing agreements with distributors like TikTok and Meta. The industry is now calling for more advanced content identification tools and clear legal frameworks to protect artists from exploitation.

As the debate over AI deepfakes intensifies, Sony Music’s efforts highlight the urgent need for regulatory action. With technology continuing to evolve rapidly, the music industry faces an ongoing battle to safeguard artistic integrity in an era of artificial intelligence.

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Page detailed his own journey from session musician to one of the most famous guitar players in the world, and said his path “was not paved by algorithms or data sets” but by spontaneous improvisation and the human spirit. He also described the government’s plans as a “free pass for AI to exploit creativity without consequence” and called for legislation that protects the rights of the artist.   

Page is just one of many UK musicians to voice their concerns, including Sir Paul McCartney, Elton John, Thom Yorke, Kate Bush, and Gary Numan. The former Beatle appeared on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg in January to voice his concerns, saying, “If they take the incentive away by not protecting the copyrights, I think you’d see a loss of creativity. That’s a great pity because it brings so much joy to the world.” 

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The Musicians Union has also voiced their own concerns and released a statement last month. “The MU’s position is to oppose the exception and rights reservation system, and request that copyright be strengthened with the introduction of a new AI training right in UK copyright law.”

The proposal comes as part of the Data (Use and Access) Bill, which is currently in the committee stage in the House of Commons. The changes, which have been described as the governments’ preferred approach, would allow AI companies to data mine copyrighted works without permission under an opt-out system, which as Page pointed out, is impossible in reality.

The Culture, Media and Sport Committee is headed by Dame Caroline Dinenage, who has described the government’s opt-in, opt-out stance as “the legislative equivalent of the hokey-kokey.” The Labour government’s own MP, James Frith, spoke out about the importance of copyright, enabling those who create art to also be able to make a living from it.

There is one week left to respond to the Government’s Copyright & AI consultation, which sets out damaging proposals to the UK’s world-leading creative industries.

Find out how you can voice your opposition here https://t.co/vhaVYD0htq pic.twitter.com/iA93EkYPYC

— BPI (@bpi_music) February 18, 2025

The debate has been growing, and just last week, over 1000 UK artists put their name to a silent album. ‘Is This What We Want?’ sent a stark message to legislators, with a track listing that spelled out ‘The British Government Must Not Legalise Music Theft To Benefit AI Companies’.  

Peter Kyle, Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology, one of the sponsors of the Bill, has defended the proposals. He told LBC that the aim is to create a market in the UK where AI companies respect domestic laws, arguing that loopholes are already being exploited in other countries.

“I will not be made to choose one industry over another.”@peterkyle speaks on @LBC about the recent AI Copyright Consultation pic.twitter.com/YTcr3OgHER

— Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (@SciTechgovuk) February 28, 2025

 The committee stage allows for amendments to be proposed based on various industry consultations. As the Bill moves into the report stage, it will be opened up to be debated in the House of Commons, further allowing refinements.

With time running out, the input of artists like Page will be crucial in shaping the Bill into something that works for those who rely on the protections offered by copyrights.

Ticket sales began on December 5, 2024.

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The last the rock veteran was seen on stage was back in 2007 for a Led Zeppelin reunion concert in London. It is weird to think that was sparked this urge to break the 13-year absences was a worldwide pandemic. However, despite the great burden the pandemic has placed on us and got us working from home many in the creative industry, like Page, have been working hard on their passion and furthering their portfolio of talent and work.

The music industry has taken a massive hit during the pandemic with self-employed musicians hitting hard times due to lack of income. But as we’re nearing an end to the tunnel with news of an effective vaccination nearing the point of distribution the industry has started to see hope again with studios opening, tours being announced for next year and Jimmy Page has jumped on top of that news with a grand return to music and shows “We need to play with people, we need gigs and we need community, because without that, music means nothing.”.

Speaking about the state of the world right now Page had this to say: “It’s such a very sad and desperate time,” he tells GQ, “and what this virus has done internationally to families, to the arts, and everything we love and hold dear and the whole concert situation, it does worry me.”. with music being such an important aspect of all of our lives as well as Page’s he understands how dire it is for life to move forwards and get back to a sense of normality (when it is safe and with the aid of science and the vaccine)

Jimmy Page who is a rock legend is known as the guitarist of one of the greatest rock bands from the UK Led Zeppelin. With a portfolio of songs and anthems like ‘Stairway To Heaven’, ‘Black Dog’, and ‘Whole Lotta Love’ Page’s prowess and talent is very clear and it would be very exciting to see such a powerhouse and talented musician make a triumphant return to live shows. For Page playing live also has a massive generational benefit.

“Playing live is so important for young musicians, when we were young, we all had these little gigs, hoping to play somewhere bigger and it’s such an important part of that communion of musicians playing together.”. It’s safe to say that this is something very and important and near and dear to Page’s heart

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Goats Head Soup 2020 is out now – link in bio! This classic album has been restored to its full glory with a new stereo album mix, sourced from the original session files. Featuring three previously unheard tracks – ‘Criss Cross’, ‘Scarlet’, ft. Jimmy Page and ‘All The Rage’ – plus demos, outtakes, live performances and more! The album is available across multiple formats, including expansive 4LP & 4CD boxsets, limited edition clear vinyl and even cassette tape. #therollingstones #goatsheadsoup2020 #experiencegoatsheadsoup #outnow

A post shared by The Rolling Stones (@therollingstones) on Sep 3, 2020 at 11:25pm PDT

Goats Head Soup is the sound of a band in transition. It is nowhere near as rocky as its predecessors Exile on Main Street and Beggars Banquet. Mick Jagger said of it: ‘I feel really close to this album… The tracks are much more varied than the last one. I didn’t want it to be just a bunch of rock songs’.

Lead single Angie and the soulful song Winter take the form of ballads. Atlantic Records wasn’t very happy with the Stones for picking Angie as the lead single, apparently wanting something more rock and roll like Brown Sugar.

But in the end, it was a wise decision. It didn’t take long for Angie to reach number one in the U.S. Billboards and the song is still considered one of the band’s best. The decision to feature piano and that distinctive violin refrain over a strong electric guitar lick epitomises the Stones’ experimental nature and desire to fuse genres.

The album was recorded in Jamaica ‘because it was one of the ‘few places that would let [them] all in’ due to the band’s status as tax exiles. Jamaica excited Jagger particularly, who enjoyed the ‘multi-ethnic environment’. There were ‘not only Jamaicans’ involved in the making of the album but also ‘percussion players who came from places like Guyana’.

The ‘unheard’ tracks Scarlet, All The Rage and Criss Cross are found on disc two and unfortunately are not quite up to the mark. The genesis of Scarlet is more interesting than the song itself: it was recorded when the Stones walked in to Ronnie Wood’s studio at the end of a Zeppelin session and Jimmy Page decided to stay and jam.

Despite the talent on the track, it is undeserving of the two remixes it gets on the new 2020 reissue (one by The War on Drugs and the other by The Killers & Jacques Lu Cont). The recently released video for the track featured actor Paul Mescal and felt random and outdated.

It is also interesting to reassess songs like Star Star in the aftermath of the Me Too movement. The song, which caused controversy even at the time, is about a “Groupie” and contains extremely explicit lyrics. Though the track opens with a strong Chuck-Berry-Esque guitar lick, it leaves a sour taste in one’s mouth in light of recent scandals such as the Bowie and Lori Mattix affair.

Heartbreaker, however, is about police brutality in the USA and is obviously particularly poignant at the moment. The track’s build-up, brass section and rollicking rhythm make it one of the Stones’ best and most politically relevant songs to date.

The instrumental versions of Heartbreaker and Dancing With Mr D are definitely the highlights of the reissue. Each brings to light the Stones’ undeniable mastery of instrumentation and arrangement.

Talking about the video, an inside source told the Sun; “It’s a massive collaboration and a great coup to get Paul on board. He’s one of the biggest stars in the world right now, but obviously he was keen to work with some music legends too. Universal man­ag­ed to pull off the partnership at just the right time, and everyone involved is seriously excited. Paul plays a hunky party boy in the film, and no doubt there will be a whole new set of fans of his who will want to check it out too, as well as the band’s fanbase.”

Scarlet is one of three previously unreleased songs that will appear on the upcoming deluxe edition of Goats Head Soup, set to come out September 4th. The song was recorded in 1974 with Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page playing guitar.

Remembering the day, Keith Richards said in a statement; “My recollection is we walked in at the end of a Zeppelin session, they were just leaving, and we were booked in next and I believe that Jimmy decided to stay. We weren’t actually cutting it as a track; it was basically for a demo, a demonstration, you know, just to get the feel of it, but it came out well, with a line-up like that, you know, we better use it.”

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Listen to Scarlet featuring @jimmypage on @applemusic now! You can also pre-add Goats Head Soup Deluxe to your library today #therollingstones #scarlet #jimmypage #newmusic #listennow #applemusic #experiencegoatsheadsoup #goatsheadsoup2020

A post shared by The Rolling Stones (@therollingstones) on Jul 29, 2020 at 10:06am PDT

Paul Mescal has really shot to fame this year after he starred in the hit BBC show Normal People with Daisy Edgar-Jones. He also recently performed with Dermot Kennedy in the Natural History Museum.

Scarlet is out now on all platforms. The deluxe album Goats Head Soup will be available everywhere on the 4th September.

Speaking about the news, Mcarthy, said: “[The Yardbirds] petered out. We were so tired, on the road for three years, playing every night. We lost all the creativity in the band. It wasn’t quite the same with the four-piece lineup, (which includes Keith Relf, Chris Dreja, Jim McCarty, and Jimmy Page). Keith and I decided to leave to do something totally different, which we did with Renaissance. But there was already a tour booked with Vanilla Fudge.

Continuing Mcarthy, said: “So Jimmy [Page] went and did it with Robert Plant, John Bonham and John Paul Jones. They called it The New Yardbirds for the first tour. Chris Dreja got shunted out in favour of John Paul Jones. But Chris had rights to the name. He stopped them from using The New Yardbirds, sent them a lawyer’s letter or something. So legally they couldn’t carry on with it. They changed it to (Led) Zeppelin.”

Led Zeppelin, who formed in London in 1968, are one of the worlds biggest rock bands to emerge from Britain. The group consisted of Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, frontman Robert Plant and drummer John Bonham. Along with Black Sabbath and Deep they are considered to be one of the big three bands to have pioneered Heavy Metal, with their main influences, like their peers, coming from Blues, Psychedelia and Folk Music.

After they changed their name to Led Zeppelin they signed with Atlantic Records who gave them, their much needed, artistic freedom. Initially disliked by critics, they nevertheless soon became one of the most commercially successful bands of the 1970’s. Their fourth album simply titled “Led Zeppelin IV” featured the song “Stairway to Heaven”, which is their biggest hit and one of the most popular rock songs of all time.

Page wrote most of the music, while Plant was responsible for most of the lyrics. In the later period, Jones’ keyboard compositions became a key factor in the bands experimentation and progression. They toured relentlessly and became notorious for their excess and debauchery. This ultimately came to a head in 1980 when Bonham tragically died from alcohol abuse, which lead them to split. Their legacy over the following decades carried on and the remaining members held several one off reunion shows with the most recent being in 2007 where Bonham was substituted by his son Jason.