The Kinks have called out the BBC over a new Radio 2 documentary that claims Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page played on their signature song and 1964 hit, “You Really Got Me.”
“BBC TELLS LIES ABOUT DAVE DAVIES AND THE KINKS IN THEIR NEW DOCUMENTARY,” Dave posted on the band’s Facebook page. “PLEASE TWEET YOUR COMMENTS AT BBC DOCUMENTARY PRODUCER @KELLIEREDMOND @dannybaker5live AND @BBCRadio2 . Tell them to get their facts straight...I, Dave Davies, invented the distorted guitar sound and played the solo on You Really Got Me and Ray Davies played rhythm guitar. We never used ANY other guitarists on any Kinks hits.”
The Radio 2 documentary, “London’s Tin Pan Alley: Danny Baker’s Musical History Tour”, covers the pivotal role Denmark Street has played in guitar music history - from the advent of rock 'n' roll in the 50s through to present day.
Davies has asked fans to contact the show's producer Kellie Redmond and host Danny Baker over the error.
A session musician at the time, Page has always maintained that he did not play on the song, which hit No. 1 in the UK and No. 7 in the US.
The origin of the myth of Page’s involvement isn’t quite clear, but it has continued to resurface over the past 50 years since its release.
“You Really Got Me” is generally considered as one of the first hit songs to be built around power chords, influencing a template for much of the hard rock and heavy metal that would follow it.
The use of distortion to beef up a guitar’s sound dates back to the late 1940s.
Hear the “London’s Tin Pan Alley” documentary at BBC Radio 2 here.
See also:
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The Kinks: Ray Davies to be inducted into Songwriters Hall Of Fame
The Kinks may reunite for 50th anniversary
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