Jimmy Page is being sued by the man who wrote and first recorded the song Dazed And Confused. 

Jake Holmes, an American folk singer, claims that Page and Led Zeppelin infringed his copyright, as his version came out two years prior to Zeppelin’s more famous one, on their self-titled, debut album. However, even if he is successful in this federal law suit (filed in California), Holmes could only claim money owed during the past three years, due to the statute of limitations.

The story started in 1967 when Holmes recorded this song for his debut album “The Above Ground Sound” Of Jake Holmes. What made it unusual was the whole record was done with just bass, guitar and vocals – no drums.

Released in June 1967, the album wasn’t at all well received, but on August 25 the same year, he supported The Yardbirds (featuring Page) when they played at the Village Theater in Greenwich Village, New York. So impressed were the British band with the song that they decided to develop their own version. This was a much longer one, with Page using a violin bow on his guitar.

Although The Yardbirds never did a studio version of this, there have been a couple of live recordings put out. One from a French TV show in March 1968 (which cropped up on a live album released in 2000) actually has Holmes down as writing the song.

By the time Zeppelin recorded Dazed And Confused, Page had changed so much of the song – lyrically and musically – that he was credited as the sole writer. Holmes did try to contact Page, but with no luck. However, he always refused to take legal action – until now.

In his 2008 book When Giants Walked The Earth: A Biography Of Led Zeppelin, Mick Wall interviewed Holmes about this controversy (reprinted in Classic Rock Issue 130). This is what the man said at the time:

“I didn’t think it (Dazed And Confused) was that special. But it went over really well, it was our set closer. The kids loved it – as did the Yardbirds, I guess.”

He says it wasn’t until “way later” he first became aware that Page had recorded his own version with Zeppelin – and given it his own songwriting credit. His initial reaction was to be blasé. “I didn’t give a shit. At that time I didn’t think there was a law about intent. I thought it had to do with the old Tin Pan Alley law that you had to have four bars of exactly the same melody, and that if somebody had taken a riff and changed it just slightly or changed the lyrics that you couldn’t sue them. That turned out to be totally misguided.”

Over the years, he says, he has “been trying to do something about it. But I’ve never been able to find [a legal representative] to really push it as hard as it could be pushed. And economically I didn’t want to be spending hundreds and thousands of dollars to come up with something that may not work. I’m not starving, and I have a lot of cachet with my kids because all the kids in their school say, ‘Your dad wrote Dazed And Confused? Awesome!’ So I’m a cult hero”.

In terms of royalties, he just wants “a fair deal. I don’t want [Page] to give me full credit for this song. He took it and put it in a direction that I would never have taken it, and it became very successful. So why should I complain? But give me at least half-credit on it”.

The fact that Dazed And Confused was destined to become one of Led Zeppelin’s great set-piece moments, he astutely points out, “is partly the problem… For [Jimmy Page], it’s probably more difficult to wrench that song away from him than it would be any other song”.

You can make your mind up now as to whether Holmes’ law suit has any validity

Here’s The Holmes version.

And this is the Zeppelin one.

Rock star Jeff Beck is said to have insured his fingers and thumbs for £7 million after slicing off one of his digits chopping carrots.

The guitarist 65, was thought to be making a stew at his Wadhurst home when the accident happened.

Surgeons managed to sew the tip of his left index finger back on but the mishap meant he struggled to finish new album Emotion and Commotion – which is released on Monday.

Since the accident the legendary guitarist has insured each of his digits for £700,000.

A source close to the former Yardbirds star said: “Jeff was making a stew when he cut his finger clean off.

“Thankfully surgeons were able to patch it up. But now he's taking no chances and has upped his insurance to $1million per finger.”

It's the 10th birthday of the area's famous Eel Pie Club.

MUSIC lovers in Twickenham are preparing to celebrate the 10th birthday of the area's famous Eel Pie Club.

The club aims to preserve and continue the area's rich musical heritage, which began in the 1960s over on Eel Pie Island. The island was one of the key venues in the rhythm and blues scene, and regular performances from the likes of The Rolling Stone, The Yardbirds, Rod Stewart and Eric Clapton, helped forge the area's long-standing association with the scene.

The brain child of musician Tom Nolan and concert organisers Gina Way and Warren Walters launched the club in April 2000 at The Room Above The Fox, in Twickenham. It soon outgrew the space and moved to the Cabbage Patch, in London Road, in June that year.

It now has more than 900 members, who receive insider information and cut priced tickets to events, which are held every other Wednesday.

Guests and featured musicians have included Ronnie Wood, former members of Atomic Rooster, Rick Parfitt, Mick Avory of the Kinks and former member of Genesis, Yardbirds and Whitesnake.

The club marks a major milestone, its 10th birthday, on April 14, and will host a special evening to celebrate.

The night will be led by slide guitarist and the club's co-owner Tom Nolan, who will be joined by an all-star band made up of Don Craine and Keith Grant, of the Downliners Sect, Dave Lennox, formerly of Blodwyn Pig, Chris Hunt, formerly of Lonnie Donegan Band, and Ray Majors, formerly of Mott The Hoople.

They will be joined by special guests who have appeared at the club over the last decade. So far, those confirmed include Mick Avory, of The Kinks, tribute band Rollin' Stoned, Top Topham, of Yardbirds, Derek Griffiths, of The Artwoods and Brian Willoughby, of Strawbs.

A few days later , on April 18, legendary jazz singer and keyboard player Georgie Fame will perform a special one-off show at The Live Room, at Twickenham Stadium.

With more than 20 albums and 14 hit singles, including numbers ones Yeh Yeh, Getaway and The Ballad Of Bonnie And Clyde, under his belt, Fame has collaborated with some of the industry's biggest names, including Gene Vincent, Bill Wyman and Van Morrison.

Tickets are being snapped up fast for the intimate, 400 capacity show, which will see Fame joined by his sons Tristan and James Powell. Support comes from the Robin Bibi Band.

Part of the proceeds from both events will go to The Otakar Kraus Trust, which provides music and voice therapy for children and young people with disabilities, and the Princess Alice Hospice, in Esher.

Tickets for the Georgie Fame show, on April 18, cost £27.50. Tickets for the birthday show cost £11 from . For more details telephone 07732 322610.www.eelpieclub.com

Roger Daltrey wants to start a super-group with Jimmy Page.

The Who singer is keen to form a new band with the Led Zeppelin guitarist and go back to the blues roots he established before he started writing songs with bandmate Pete Townshend.

He told UK radio station BBC6 music: "I'd love to do something, I'd love to do an album with Jimmy Page. He needs a singer to drive him. I'm a great blues singer.

"I don't sing the blues with The Who, but that's what I used to be before Townshend started writing. I used to be a great blues singer."

The project is more likely to happen as the future of The Who is uncertain, following comments made by 64-year-old Pete revealed he may have to stop performing because of a recurring problem with tinnitus - a painful ringing in the ears, a symptom of noise-induced hearing loss.

He said: "If my hearing is going to be a problem, we're not delaying shows. We're finished. I can't really see any way around the issue."

Meanwhile, Jimmy Page has spoken of his frustration at not being able to make a Led Zeppelin reunion happen.

The other surviving members of the group are busy, with singer Robert Plant recording a new album with vocalist Alison Krauss, and bassist John Paul Jones joining super-group Them Crooked Vultures.

Jimmy said: "You'd better ask Robert Plant what the future of Led Zeppelin is. Musicians can always play together but I don't think you can go out with a band called Led Zeppelin if you haven't got the original vocalist."

Jimmy has, however, spoken of his desire to get a new musical project off the ground this year, which could pave the way for Roger's plan.

He previously said: "Next year I have every intention of playing music live and manifesting it. I've got the music waiting, and that's what I'll be doing."

Page is the last of the surviving members of Led Zeppelin to get back into the music business – at least as far as recording and performing live are concerned. Robert Plant’s collaboration with Alison Krauss and John Paul Jones’ signing on as part of Them Crooked Vultures proves that the legendary rockers still have plenty of music in them, and are not quite ready to fade away into the annals of music history.

Following two dates with Eric Clapton at the O2 Arena in London on February 13/14, Beck has confirmed the following shows:

Oct. 15: Bournemouth International Centre

Oct. 16: Brighton Centre

Oct. 17: Birmingham Symphony Hall

Oct. 20: Clyde Auditorium

Oct. 21: Manchester Apollo

Oct. 22: Sheffield City Hall

Oct. 24: Bristol Colston Hall

Oct. 25: Cardiff St. David’s Hall

Oct. 26: London Royal Albert Hall

Tickets are on sale now. They cost £36.50 everywhere,  except in London where they are £43.50, £35 and £30.

The legendary guitarist is currently in the studio working on a new album, with co-producers Trevor Horn and Steve Lipson. As yet untitled, this will be out in the first half of the year.

Jeff has also been nominated for another Grammy award. This time for 'A Day In The Life' off of his 'Performing This Week' CD. The song has been nominated for 'Best Rock Instrumental'

YARDBIRDS PRESS RELEASE

Lead singer and bassist John Idan, has now left the Yardbirds. John has been a great contributor to the band over the years, and the Yardbirds have wished him every success with his career.

Two fantastic musicians, both from the UK, have now joined forces with the band, heralding in a new musical era for the Yardbirds.

Andy Mitchell, a powerful singer, songwriter and formidable acoustic guitar player is the new lead vocalist. Andy also plays harmonica with an economical style reminiscent of the original bands sound. David Smale is a brilliant new generation bass player. His joining, bring both power and imagination to an all important rhythm section.

The combination of skills together with these new members on board will enhance the Yardbirds’ legendary material and expand the musical direction, as have other gifted players who have participated in the bands past.

Sid Barryd, May 2009