"Dave Davies discusses the revival of The Kinks through their hit 'You Really Got Me', debunks Jimmy Page rumors, and shares his personal opinions on Van Halen's cover"
In an exclusive interview, Dave Davies, the proverbial godfather of distortion, discusses his groundbreaking contribution to music and his latest project, 'The Journey - Part 3.'
During the recording of The Kinks' 1964 hit "You Really Got Me," Davies made a serendipitous discovery. By slicing the speaker cone of his small Elpico amplifier and then plugging it into a larger Vox amplifier, he produced a unique distorted guitar sound that was revolutionary at the time.
"I never knew that tearing my amp's speaker cone would lead to the creation of 'You Really Got Me.' It was an accident, but it turned out to be a happy one," Davies shared.
This altered, raw, and gritty tone contributed significantly to the heavier sound that became a foundation for hard rock and heavy metal music. Davies' innovative technique allowed for a more distorted, fuzzy guitar tone that departed from the clean sounds of earlier rock and roll. This sonic breakthrough helped shape the aggressive guitar-driven sound characteristic of hard rock and heavy metal music that followed.
Davies is most proud of 'You Really Got Me,' and he has stated that he, not Jimmy Page, recorded the solo for the iconic song. However, there has been speculation that Page might have recorded the solo, but Eddie Kramer, the session engineer, has denied this claim.
Eddie Van Halen had great success with his version of "You Really Got Me" and often played it on tour. Davies found the Van Halen version quite funny-sounding but is happy with the success that Eddie Van Halen had with his interpretation of the song.
Davies describes the late era of The Kinks as a renaissance and a rebirth in America. He believes that "You Really Got Me" helped revive The Kinks' career, as their albums weren't doing well before its release. The Kinks had many comebacks during their late era, and cuts like 'Come Dancing,' 'Destroyer,' and 'Better Things' have also earned pride of place in the band's catalog.
Currently, Davies is promoting a new set called 'The Journey - Part 3,' which documents The Kinks' late era. This collection is now available for purchase.
Despite not providing an explanation for why he tore his amp's speaker cone, Davies' modification of his amplifier speaker cone remains a significant moment in music history. As a proverbial godfather of distortion, Davies inspired players with his unique use of gain, distortion, and fuzz without the help of stompboxes. His distinctive sound, achieved without the aid of modern technology, continues to influence musicians today.
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