Whitesnake guitarist unmasks impostor

RIPLEY, England, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- A British rock fan who has been impersonating former Whitesnake guitarist Mel Galley has been unmasked by the rock star himself.

The real Galley found out Ken Grimley of Ripley allegedly has been visiting music venues and signing autographs pretending to be the noted guitarist, so Galley decided to pay him a visit at his home, The Derbyshire Evening Telegraph reported Sunday.

When Galley arrived, Grimley did not even recognize his childhood hero. He even gave Galley a tour of his home and signed an autograph “Mel” before realizing his mistake.

In a fluster, he said: "I apologize if I've offended anyone. I haven't maliciously misled anyone.''

He offered Galley a guitar from his collection before shaking his hand and saying "no hard feelings."

Galley said meeting Grimley was "disturbing."

"I found the experience really eerie. All I wanted to do was get out of the house,” he said. “I'm furious this man has been leading his life as me. I don't wish him any harm but he needed to be shamed so he can't do it any more."