The Kinks Although they weren't as boldly innovative as the Beatles or as
popular as the Rolling Stones or the Who, the Kinks were one of the most
influential bands of the British invasion. Like most bands of their era, the
Kinks began as an R&B/blues band. Within four years, the band had become the
most staunchly English of all their contemporaries, drawing heavily from British
music hall and traditional pop, as well as incorporating elements of country,
folk, and blues. Throughout their long varied career, the core of the Kinks
remained Ray Davies born 21st June 1944 and brother Dave Davies born 3rd
February 1947 they were raised in Muswell Hill, London.
In their teens the brothers recruited a schoolmate of Ray's, Peter Quaife, to
play with them. Quaife played guitar, but he switched to bass. By the summer of
1963, the group had decided to call itself the Ravens and had recruited a new
drummer, Mickey Willet. The Ravens recorded their debut single, a cover of
Little Richard's Long Tall Sally, in January 1964. Before the single was
released, the group changed their name to the Kinks.
The Kinks were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, but the
induction did not help revive their career. By 1993 only Ray and Dave Davies
remained from the original line-up. Despite a lack of commercial success.
The band's public
profile began to rise in 1995, as the group
was hailed as an influence on several of the
most popular British bands of the decade,
including Blur and Oasis.
