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 honors 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, The Latest on the 2024 Rock Hall Class
The 2024 Rock Hall class was announced on April 21 on American Idol. This year’s class truly has something for everyone. The inductees include the following:
Performer Category
- Mary J. Blige
- Cher
- Dave Matthews Band
- Foreigner
- Peter Frampton
- Kool & The Gang
- Ozzy Osbourne
- A Tribe Called Quest
Musical Influence Award
(Given to a performing artist or group whose music and performance style have directly influenced and helped inspire and evolve rock & roll and music that has impacted youth culture.)
- Alexis Korner
- John Mayall
- Big Mama Thornton
Musical Excellence Award
(Given to artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose originality and influence creating music have had a dramatic impact on music.)
- Jimmy Buffett
- MC5
- Dionne Warwick
- Norman Whitfield
Ahmet Ertegun Award
(Given to non-performing industry professionals who, through their dedicated belief and support of artists and their music have had a major influence on the creative development and growth of rock & roll and music that has impacted youth culture. )
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.
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.
