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The bass line for I Saw Her Standing There was inspired by “I’m Talking about You” by Chuck Berry (1961). Paul said in an interview that he played the same notes as Chuck Berry did and maintained that a bass riff doesn’t have to be original.
Was there any legal claim?"Inspired" by? "Sampled?" How about ouright stolen?
Invalid Link Removed, “Here’s one example of a bit I pinched from someone: I used the bass riff from “Talkin’ About You” by Chuck Berry in “I Saw Her Standing There”. I played exactly the same notes as he did and it fitted our number perfectly. Even now, when I tell people, I find few of them believe me; therefore, I maintain that a bass riff hasn’t got to be original.”.
"Inspired" by? "Sampled?" How about ouright stolen?
Invalid Link Removed, “Here’s one example of a bit I pinched from someone: I used the bass riff from “Talkin’ About You” by Chuck Berry in “I Saw Her Standing There”. I played exactly the same notes as he did and it fitted our number perfectly. Even now, when I tell people, I find few of them believe me; therefore, I maintain that a bass riff hasn’t got to be original.”.
Like the crescendo harmony in Kansas City?
It would be enlightening to know the legal basis for your assertion, if you have any. Or is it a moral reflection? For me It is evident from the text quoted that Paul gave due moral credit to Chuck Berry for that line. So in this case I don´t see an act of plagiarism but a form of flattery and recognition on the part of Paul, in the understanding that licks were part of the public domain. I respect your position, but beg to differ.

Not to mention the Duck WalkI wasn’t actually aware of that. Thanks for sharing.
We all owe to Chuck Berry. Everybody used -or still use- the sliding ninth chord lick, descending double stops, imitation bottleneck lick, tasty fills, etc that were his trademarks. He had a strong influence on many guitar players, as Willie Dixon influenced bassists throughout the world. The Stones and The Beatles covered Chuck Berry and, if IIRC, the Beatles also took the idea of Back in the USA to write Back in the USSR.
NASA put a recording of Johnny B. Goode in a space capsule as an example of American Pop music, so even aliens might be using his licks!
DO they work on beetles?View attachment 4824382
The Beatles Museum in Alkmaar Netherlands was really worthwhile and had some interesting items such as this merch.