Jake Holmes, a folk‑rock songwriter, composed and released “Dazed and Confused” in 1967 on his debut album The Above Ground Sound of Jake Holmes. Later that year, Holmes opened for the Yardbirds in Greenwich Village—where a young Jimmy Page, then the Yardbirds’ guitarist, reportedly heard the song and carried it into live performances by the group. Though Page added new lyrics and instrumental sections, the core melody, title, and descending riff remained largely drawn from Holmes’s original.
When Page formed Led Zeppelin in 1968, the band recorded the song for their self-titled debut album released in early 1969. Holmes was not credited; Page appeared as sole composer. Decades later, after reaching out in the early ’80s and receiving no response, Holmes filed suit in 2010 claiming copyright infringement. That case was settled in 2011, and Led Zeppelin reissued the track with credit reading “Jimmy Page, inspired by Jake Holmes.” The agreement reportedly affirmed Holmes’s full ownership of the original composition and granted him licensing rights in perpetuity.
2025: Lawsuit Revived
In May 2025, Holmes filed a new suit in U.S. District Court in California (Holmes v. Page, No. 2:25‑cv‑03977). He claimed that Page, Warner Chappell (Page’s publisher), and Sony Pictures breached the 2011 settlement by issuing archival recordings of the Yardbirds performing “Dazed and Confused” credited solely to Page—thus denying Holmes songwriting credit and royalties. Additionally, Holmes alleged that the song was used in the February 2025 Sony Pictures documentary Becoming Led Zeppelin without proper attribution or compensation, particularly in the Yardbirds’ performance featured in the film.
Holmes sought statutory damages of at least $150,000 per infringement instance under U.S. copyright law. He also pursued injunctive relief to stop further distribution until proper credit and licensing were secured.
Settlement: August 1, 2025
On August 1, 2025, it emerged via a filing in federal court that Holmes had reached a settlement with Jimmy Page, Warner Chappell, and Sony Pictures. The parties told the court the case had been resolved and they were working out a written agreement. No financial terms or credit modifications were publicly disclosed. All involved representatives declined to comment.
Why This Matters
- Songwriter Attribution: This dispute highlights the long-overlooked rights of songwriters like Holmes, even decades after a track becomes famous.
- Archival Rights & Licensing: The case underscores that recorded archival performances are subject to licensing—and existing settlements may not cover all future uses.
- Documentary Ethics: The dispute reveals how music documentaries rely on archival footage and compositions that require careful licensing—especially where multiple versions and historical credits are involved.
- Broader Pattern: While “Dazed and Confused” has become the most prominent example, Led Zeppelin’s early catalog includes several songs whose credits were later disputed, including “Whole Lotta Love” (based on Willie Dixon) and “The Lemon Song” (Howlin’ Wolf), among others.
Holmes wrote and recorded “Dazed and Confused” in 1967.
- Jimmy Page, via the Yardbirds and then Led Zeppelin, adapted the song without credit for decades.
- 2010 lawsuit → 2011 settlement: Holmes gained acknowledgment via the “inspired by” credit, full rights, and royalties going forward.
- 2025 suit: Holmes alleged breach by Page and partners releasing Yardbirds recordings and including the song in a documentary without permission.
- August 1, 2025 settlement: The dispute was formally resolved, though terms remain undisclosed.
While details of the final agreement are sealed, the case reaffirms that original songwriters retain enduring rights—regardless of how iconic a later version becomes.
