Posted on 05/07/2025 7:40:24 AM PDT by nickcarraway
It claims that The Yardbird’s version of the song did not give credit to singer-songwriter Jake Holmes
Jimmy Page has been hit with another lawsuit regarding the songwriting credits to ‘Dazed And Confused’.
The suit against the guitarist and songwriter has once again been put forward by musician Jake Holmes, who is said to have written the original track that inspired the famous Led Zeppelin release.
Holmes wrote and recorded ‘Dazed And Confused’ back in 1967, and alleges that the guitarist heard the song in August of that year when he opened for Page’s other band, The Yardbirds.
The Yardbirds went on to share their own version of the song shortly afterwards and played it regularly at their shows. Although an official studio version was never made, they did share live recordings of their version of ‘Dazed And Confused’ in 1967 and 1968.
Later, Page would share another version of the song with Led Zeppelin. This sounded very similar to the original version by Holmes, although it contained new lyrics and instrumental melodies written by Page. It remains one of Led Zeppelin’s most popular releases.
For years now, there has been commotion about the songwriting credits in Led Zeppelin’s version. In 2010 Holmes filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against the guitarist, and the settlement (decided outside of court) led to the songwriting credit on the Led Zeppelin version being changed to “inspired by Jake Holmes”.
It was unclear whether or not the agreement also applied to recordings shared by The Yardbirds, and now that several archival releases from the band have been shared, the lawsuit from Holmes has been revived once more.
As per the new filing (via Rolling Stone), Holmes claims that he has not been given credit nor royalties for the early versions of ‘Dazed And Confused’ performed by The Yardbirds. The suit references the newly shared film Becoming Led Zeppelin, which has the Led Zeppelin version credited as “inspired by Jake Holmes” but the Yardbirds version as only “written by Jimmy Page”. It also names Sony Pictures and music publisher Warner Chappell as defendants.
“The Yardbirds’ performance of ‘Dazed and Confused’ in the film is a performance of the Holmes Composition,” reads the filing (via RS). “Defendants have thus committed multiple acts of willful infringement by continuing to use the Holmes Composition without authorization and in the face of both specific knowledge of Plaintiff’s rights and Plaintiff’s cease and desist demand.”
This is an ongoing story. Jimmy Page’s legal team have not yet shared a public statement about the revived lawsuit from Holmes, nor responded to requests from RS. NME has reached out to Sony Pictures and Warner Chappell for comment.
I think Ian Anderson didn’t sue, said he was flattered, if my memory serves me well.
His quote was, “I consider it a tribute, like this watch I’m wearing is a tribute to Rolex.”
my ex wife had a cousin who played rythm guitar for the band "Survivor" and had the Gold record for "Eye of the Tiger" that she bought from him for $300.
He used to call her all the time begging for money. He got $4 million dollars lump sum for "Eye of the Tiger", but she said he blew through it in about 2 years on coke and coke whores in Santa Monica , living on the streets now, I offered to let him stay with us to get on his feet, but she said no way, hes a thief and would rob us blind
Related video comparing LZ songs to many other songs. LZ’s versions are great but they copied a lot of people’s work without always crediting them or paying royalties. Maybe by now they have settled up but I am not sure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efuOELImxAc
George Harrison got sued for “My Sweet Lord.” They say he ripped off “He’s So Fine.” Harrison actually played both songs in court on a acoustic guitar. Harrison stated “it was the same chords but not the same song.” I believe he lost the case. Years ago Elvis Costello said “All musicians are magpies and thieves.” That about sums it up.
Thanks. This is the first time I heard that song.
My guess would be PR. It looks bad for a huge band to stomp on a barely-known musician who served as an inspiration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZoM3CsEX1k
I’m hearing a lot of wah wah
Not sure but they were given songwriting credits in later releases and paid royalties...
No one clued the guitarist in that the one bringing cocaine and hookers into his life was most likely his agent.
The agent looked at him as nothing more than a source of revenue. What he wasn't getting in commissions, he was going to get in kickbacks from a drug dealers and pimps.
The agent also hoped the musician would sell him the rights to the music at a drug addict discount.
but she said he blew through it in about 2 years on coke and coke whores in Santa Monica
The rest of the money he just squandered.
Will someone PLEASE sue Al Stewart to put him and his stellar music back on the map? 😼
His quote was, “I consider it a tribute, like this watch I’m wearing is a tribute to Rolex.”
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Ouch!
BTW, I forget the song. Was it”We Used To Know?”
“Jake Holmes wrote DaC, and LZ really ripped it off.”
... including the quite unique song title.
Plant explained it well. Plant said song theft only becomes a problem if they become successful. Worry about it later kind of thing.
They will probably all be dead from old age before this is settled.
BTW, I forget the song. Was it”We Used To Know?”
Correct.
Uh, Jimmy wrote the guitar parts.
And after everyone left wasn’t Page given everything by default? Including the rights?
Uh, Page was the music collaborator. He ended up to the rights of the Yardbirds and then started to recreate the band. Changed the name.
I’ve never heard Tulls version.
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