Dave Davies has publicly spoken out against a new Kinks biography. He expressed frustration over what he describes as misinformation in a statement shared on X (Twitter).
The statement addressed specific factual errors in the book by Doug Hinman and Andrew Sandoval. The errors relate to the band’s early recording sessions and the role of Jimmy Page.
“I cannot endorse the new Kinks book by Doug Hinman and Andrew Sandoval because there’s misinformation in it about our early recording sessions,” Davies said. “I signed some copies for charity before I had read the errors. I’m optimistic that a correction or two will be issued in due course.”
Davies went on to directly dispute the claims made about Jimmy Page’s contributions to two classic Kinks tracks.
“All those f*king years ago why don’t they leave me alone,” he continued. “That little bit of rhythm guitar on ‘All Day and All of the Night’ is Ray. Jimmy Page did not play rhythm guitar on ‘All Day and All of the Night.’ And Jimmy Page did not put distortion on ‘I Need You’ either. F*king hell.”
Davies noted that he had signed copies of the book for charity prior to discovering the errors. The endorsement was therefore unintentional. It remains to be seen whether the publishers will issue a correction.
The controversy sheds light on a long-standing dispute over the historical record of one of Britain’s most influential rock bands. It also raises questions about the research process behind the biography.
The book is titled All Day and All of the Night: The Day-By-Day Story Pt 1: 1940–1971. It covers the band’s history through their 1970 album Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One. Davies confirmed he was never given the opportunity to review the manuscript before publication.
This is not the first time Davies has had to address the Jimmy Page rumor. In 2024, he pushed back against the same claim circulating online by correcting a Wikipedia entry. He wrote at the time: “No, Jimmy Page did not provide distortion on any Kinks songs period.” The appearance of the same misinformation in a published biography has clearly pushed his patience to a breaking point.
The claims center on two of the Kinks’ most iconic early recordings. “All Day and All of the Night” was released in 1964, and “I Need You” followed in 1965. Both are considered landmarks of the British Invasion era. Davies has been unequivocal that the rhythm guitar on the former was played by his brother Ray, and that Page had no involvement in the distortion effect on the latter.
The dispute also touches on the long and complicated creative dynamic between Dave and Ray Davies. Ray has historically been the dominant creative force behind the Kinks’ songwriting and musical direction. Dave, meanwhile, has long been credited as the architect of the band’s raw, distorted guitar sound — one that would go on to influence generations of rock musicians. Any misattribution of that sonic identity carries particular weight for Dave, who has spent decades defending his contributions to the band’s legacy.
