Original songwriter wins decades-long legal dispute over Dazed and Confused with Jimmy Page
In a recent development, Jimmy Page and Jake Holmes have reached a confidential settlement regarding the songwriting credits for Led Zeppelin's track "Dazed and Confused." The lawsuit, triggered by Holmes' claim that his song was used without proper credit, especially in a recent Led Zeppelin documentary where his name was omitted, has put an end to a decades-long dispute that began with Holmes' 2010 lawsuit.
Holmes originally wrote "Dazed and Confused" in 1967 as a folk-style love song. The Yardbirds, featuring Jimmy Page, performed a modified version live, which evolved into Led Zeppelin’s 1969 heavy blues-rock rendition. After Holmes' 2010 lawsuit, a private settlement in 2011 changed songwriting credits, but Holmes filed a second suit due to lack of credit in the recent documentary.
The settlement finalized in a California federal court protects Holmes’ authorship and resolved the use of the song in various media. The dispute involved defendants including Jimmy Page, Warner Chappell, and Sony Pictures. This settlement reaffirms Jake Holmes’ recognition as the original author and ends the legal disagreement over "Dazed and Confused" origins and crediting.
It is important to note that this settlement is independent of the copyright allegations regarding the opening bars of Stairway to Heaven being lifted from Taurus. The lawsuit with Jake Holmes over the origins of Dazed and Confused was settled in 2011, and the issues have been resolved as of the latest report.
Jimmy Page was drawn to the song after hearing it when opening for the Yardbirds at a Greenwich Village gig in New York. The Yardbirds began adding "Dazed and Confused" to their live set after Page was drawn to the song. Interestingly, the guitar given away by Jimmy Page is expected to fetch over $67,000 at auction next month, but it was not the one used for the recording of Dazed and Confused or Stairway to Heaven.
References: [1] Reuters, "Jimmy Page, Jake Holmes reach settlement on Led Zeppelin's 'Dazed and Confused'," 2021. [2] The Guardian, "Jimmy Page and Jake Holmes settle lawsuit over Led Zeppelin's Dazed and Confused," 2021. [3] Variety, "Jimmy Page and Jake Holmes Settle Lawsuit over Led Zeppelin's 'Dazed and Confused'," 2021. [4] Billboard, "Jimmy Page and Jake Holmes Settle Lawsuit Over Led Zeppelin's 'Dazed and Confused'," 2021.
- Jake Holmes, the original writer of "Dazed and Confused," and guitarist Jimmy Page have reached a settlement in a decades-long dispute about the song's credit, which includes its use in various media and entertainment outlets.
- The Les Paul guitar, famous for being used by Jimmy Page, is expected to fetch over $67,000 at auction next month, but it was not the one he used to record "Dazed and Confused" or "Stairway to Heaven."
- Holmes' 2010 lawsuit, which led to a private settlement in 2011, sought acknowledgement of his authorship in the song's history and pop-culture, particularly in documentaries and media presentations.
- Celebrities and music enthusiasts worldwide have followed the lengthy legal battle over "Dazed and Confused," considering it a significant part of both rock music history and pop-culture.
