British rock legend Ray Davies doesn't wait around for a Kinks reunion
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Ray Davies (of the Kinks) will appear here at the Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead Friday.
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Not everyone thinks the battle for the best of the Big Four British Invasion bands is between the Beatles and the Stones.
Some hardcore music geeks swear by the Kinks, who managed to be the most nuanced and literate of the bunch (which also includes The Who) while also creating the blueprint for heavy metal with "You Really Got Me."
The band, led by brothers Ray and Dave Davies, debuted in 1964 and released an album every year or two (or three) until 1993, with changing rhythm sections. Not that it was always easy. The brothers, and the band members at large, were notorious for their spats, sometimes right on stage, which contributed to the Kinks being banned from playing in the States during their mid-'60s heyday.
The Kinks enjoyed a second wave of popularity in the late '70s and early '80s -- from "Low Budget" to "State of Confusion" -- before that started to fade, along with the good spirits between the brothers. Hopes of a reunion for the band's 40th anniversary in 2004 were dashed when Dave suffered a stroke. He's able now, but just two weeks ago he told the Daily Telegraph, "How could I not love my own brother? I just can't stand to be with him."
Where: Carnegie Library Music Hall of Homestead, Munhall.
When: 8 p.m. Friday.
Tickets: $38 to $65; 412-368-5225.
At 67, Ray isn't sitting around waiting. He's on tour as Ray Davies & The 88, backed by a Kinks-worshipping indie-rock band from LA that can't believe its good fortune. Along with touring, The 88 plays some of the tracks on the recent Kinks tribute "See My Friends," which features Ray paired with the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Metallica, Mumford & Sons and the late Alex Chilton.
Last week, he talked with us about the album and the tour.
Glad to see you coming back to Pittsburgh. You've had some memorable moments here.
Oh, yeah, with the Kinks. Incredible shenanigans.
People still talk about the Regatta song [he made up in 1993 when he played Station Square and had to compete with fireworks during the Pittsburgh Regatta].
Oh, yeah, "Regatta My Ass." They play this on the sea front when all the yachts are out there. They still have regattas there?
First Published November 3, 2011 12:00 am
