As any rock nerd knows, the songwriting credits to the Led Zeppelin classic "Dazed and Confused" have long been a contentious issue. Even calling it a "Led Zeppelin classic" raises the blood pressure of some of the serious record-collecting types out there, as the origins of the song have always been muddled. Is it a Zep tune? A Yardbirds cover? Or an old blues song? (And, honestly, has anyone ever heard any version apart from the Led Zep rendition?) Well, according to a new lawsuit, one thing's for sure: it ain't Zeppelin's tune.
The lawsuit comes by way of folk singer Jake Holmes, who actually wrote and recorded the song, which was first released on his 1967 album The Above Ground Sound of Jake Holmes. Zeppelin's version was on their 1969 self-titled debut. (The Yardbirds never recorded the song.) Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page changed the song enough to avoid any legal problems, at least until now.
Decades after the song's release, Holmes has, for some reason or another, decided to now file a lawsuit against Page, reports TMZ. Holmes, who says he owns the copyright to the song, can only sue for damages from the last three years, however, due to the statute of limitations.
Head here to listen to samples of both Holmes's and Zep's versions and decide for yourself; you can also check out court documents there while you're at it.
For more on the legacy of "Dazed and Confused," you can check out the song's lengthy Wikipedia page.
The lawsuit comes by way of folk singer Jake Holmes, who actually wrote and recorded the song, which was first released on his 1967 album The Above Ground Sound of Jake Holmes. Zeppelin's version was on their 1969 self-titled debut. (The Yardbirds never recorded the song.) Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page changed the song enough to avoid any legal problems, at least until now.
Decades after the song's release, Holmes has, for some reason or another, decided to now file a lawsuit against Page, reports TMZ. Holmes, who says he owns the copyright to the song, can only sue for damages from the last three years, however, due to the statute of limitations.
Head here to listen to samples of both Holmes's and Zep's versions and decide for yourself; you can also check out court documents there while you're at it.
For more on the legacy of "Dazed and Confused," you can check out the song's lengthy Wikipedia page.
