Ray Davies confirms The Kinks reunion: "I think it’s kind of an appropriate time to do it”
If there wasn't proof enough that the 2010s have become the era for comebacks, here's the bottom line: Putting an end to one of the longest-running feuds in the world of pop music, The Kinks founding member and frontman Ray Davies confirmed on Monday (June 25) that a full-fledged reunion is on the horizon.
Formed in 1964 by brothers Ray and Dave Davies, drummer Mick Avory and bassist Pete Quaife, (who died in 2010) The Kinks rocketed to fame and the top of the charts with their third single 'You Really Got Me.' A string of classic singles — including 'All Day and All of the Night,' 'A Well-Respected Man,' 'Waterloo Sunset,' 'Lola' and more — followed throughout the decade and saw the band establish themselves as one of the most influential bands of the 60s.
However, the group and particularly the Davies brothers were renowned for their arguments both on and offstage. Decades before the Gallagher brothers set the bar for sibling beef in the UK, the Davies brothers were the ones that started it all. Ray and Dave spent the last two decades trading barbs through the press. Dave called Ray a narcissist vampire who “sucks me dry of ideas, emotions and creativity. It’s toxic for me to be with him.” Then Ray stomped on Dave’s 50th birthday cake. The last time they performed together was in 1996, after which they split ways to focus on their own solo careers.
However, the brothers have seemingly reconciled to the point where they’ve actually considered a reunion. In 2015 they shared the stage together for the first time in 20 years, leading Ray to predict that a reunion “definitely” happen. Well, it looks like the time is here!
In an interview with BBC’s Channel 4 News, Ray said that he, Dave, and drummer Mick Avory are “making a new album, inspired by the Rolling Stones.” “I think it’s kind of an appropriate time to do it,” he added. But of course, Davies brought the confirmation in his own whimsical style. Mid-way through the interview he received a call from drummer Mick Avery and he told him that he'd meet him later at the pub. Then, when asked about an official confirmation about a Kinks reunion, Ray said: “The Kinks are getting back together…in the pub at least.”
Before the reunion happens though, the singer will release “Our Country: Americana II,” his second solo album in collaboration with the Jayhawks, on Friday (June 29). Ray also suggested during the interview that The Kinks will play shows together in support of the album, a first since 1996.
The Kinks' last album was 1993's 'Phobia' which saw poor reception commercially. But the era of Brit-pop that exploded in the decade often cited The Kinks as one of their greatest influences, keeping the band well and alive in the memories of rock and pop fans around the world. Four of their albums have been certified gold by the RIAA and have sold over 50 million records worldwide. In 1990, the original four members of The Kinks were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. So it'll be interesting to see how such an iconic band from a bygone era adapts to the contemporary music scene, especially considering that the surviving three-fourths of the band is well into their seventies.
Ray also took a moment to reflect of The Rolling Stones' career, citing them as an inspiration for their reunion.
“It won’t be well-organized like the Rolling Stones,” Ray added. “You must praise The Rolling Stones for being great at publicity and a great band great at organizing their careers and Mick [Jagger] has done an incredible PR job and it’s kind of inspiring to see them doing it.”
“But The Kinks will probably be playing the local bar,” he added with a hint of tongue-in-cheek modesty.