Kinks Ray Davies Breaks Silence on Van Halen’s “You Really Got Me.”
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in London by two brothers, Ray and Dave Davies. They are known as one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s. Part of a British invasion included the Beatles and Rolling Stones.
The original writers of “You Really Got Me” in 1965 reached the top 10 in the United States. So, after 57 years, we finally get an answer to a sought-after question. What does Ray Davies think of the cover of their hit song covered by Van Halen?
I wondered myself after many years of being a Kinks fan of the song, “All Day and All of the Night.” I loved the crunch of the guitar riff coming even through an AM transistor radio. Van Halen’s debut came out in the cold winter of 1978. Remember the biggest storm your parents and grandparents keep talking about. My friend introduces me to the album. The first drop of the needle was the song, “Eruption.” I asked my friend John if the record was on the wrong speed and no one plays that fast. Then at the end of “Eruption,” the slow fade into the next song. “You Really Got Me,” came on loud, and I couldn’t believe my ears that they made the Kinks cover great again. I loved it!
Years went by, and I always wondered, what did the Kinks think of Van Halen and their version of their hit record? The Kinks hit #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts as Van Halen’s cover of the song only reached #36. His brother Dave Davies said of Van Halen’s version, “This sounds really flashy.” As for Ray Davies, I finally got my answer after all these years. Ray said,” Van Halen’s version was very Middle America. It was like, ‘Hey man, look at me with my tight trousers! Here’s our version of ‘You Really Got Me’! Truthfully I love both versions and can listen to both over and over again. When it comes to cover songs it has to rank up to my top 5 favorites. Hmm, I think I see the best cover list coming soon.
Rock Hall Induction Ceremony: 8 Biggest Drama Moments
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony is always a bit of a crapshoot. Some years, everything goes off without a hitch. Other years, though, it all hits the fan, and it is drama with a capital “D.”
It’s rather funny when things go off the rails, because the Rock Hall induction ceremony honorees have all been announced. Comedian John Mulaney referred to the Rock Hall induction ceremony as “the only truly fun award show.”
In a February 2018 appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Mulaney explained that the Rock Hall induction is the award show he’d most like to host. Why? He said, “Think of it like a wedding if every speech was given by the bride’s ex-boyfriend. Every band comes in with some old grievance, and all their speeches are filled with bile from 30 years before.”
Sure, Mulaney is being a little hyperbolic, but there have been some very uncomfortable speeches and moments in the past at the Rock Hall induction ceremony, so he kind of has a point.
With that in mind, here are eight of the biggest drama moments in Rock Hall induction history.
But First, What to Expect at the 2024 Rock Hall Induction Ceremony
The 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 19 at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio. As previously reported, the 2024 ceremony will live stream on Disney+. An edited special will air on ABC at a later date, which will be available on Hulu the next day.
This year features a diverse slate of performers being inducted. They include Mary J. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & The Gang, Ozzy Osbourne, and A Tribe Called Quest. Other artists being honored with the Musical Excellence Award and the Musical Influence Award include Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick, Norman Whitfield, Alexis Korner, John Mayall, and Big Mama Thornton.
So far, the breakdown of presenters and additional performers is proving that 2024 induction ceremony is setting itself up to be a banner year. Here’s a breakdown of the guest lineup:
- Ozzy Osbourne will be honored with an all-star tribute that includes Billy Idol, Jelly Roll, Chad Smith, Wolfgang Van Halen, Zakk Wylde, Maynard James Keenan, Robert Trujillo, Steve Stevens and Andrew Watt. Jack Black will be doing the honors of inducting Ozzy at the Rock Hall ceremony.
- Julia Roberts will be doing the honors of inducting Dave Matthews Band. The Academy Award-winning actress starred in the band’s music video for “Dreamgirl.”
- Foreigner will be honored by an all-star tribute band featuring Slash, Sammy Hagar, Chad Smith and Demi Lovato. (Foreigner is also set to perform).
- Jimmy Buffett will also receive the all-star tribute with a performance by James Taylor, Kenny Chesney and Mac McAnally.
- Inductee Peter Frampton will be inducted by Keith Urban and Roger Daltrey. (Frampton has been confirmed to perform.)
- Chuck D will do the honors of inducting Kool & the Gang.
- Inductee Mary J. Blige will be performing at the ceremony. Honoring Blige and helping induct her into the Rock Hall are Method Man, Dr. Dre, Ella Mai and Lucky Daye.
- Busta Rhymes will be performing at the Rock Hall ceremony in honor of inductees A Tribe Called Quest.
Born in Mt Clemens, Screamin’ Scott has been a part of the Detroit airwaves for 30-plus years. With 40 years of experience in radio. When he’s not out on the streets for WCSX, you can find him devoting time to local charities with his, “Screamin Angels”; and for 16 years with Rock 4 Tots charity. And last 10 years with his local band, "Chit!." Screamin Scott likes to write about nostalgic Detroit area memories, classic rock, and local metro Detroit topics.
