Working out The Kinks
It’s been years since he went solo but guitarist and singer Dave Davies says he still finds satisfaction in being himself, writes John J. Moser
Guitarist and singer Dave Davies has long been a solo artist – he released the first of more than a dozen discs under his own name in 1980. He last played with the rock band that made him famous 15 years ago.
But Davies says he understands people always will connect a lead guitarist with his biggest band – especially when that band is seminal rock force The Kinks.
From 1964 to 1980, The Kinks, with Davies’ brother Ray as vocalist, had 10 Top 40 albums and early rock classics such as You Really Got Me and All Day and All of the Night; later there were thought-provoking pop hits such as A Well Respected Man and Lola, and even 1980s hits Come Dancing and Do It Again.
More importantly, The Kinks had a ragged rock intensity that influenced generations of musical acts from The Who to punk rock to metal – and do so even today.
Dave Davies, who created those classic Kinks guitar riffs, has been carving out his own identity with new material. His newest album, I Will Be Me, continues that path of self-expression. Davies is playing songs from the disc on a tour of 10 American cities.
Speaking from his home in Exmoor, England, Davies says he thinks one reason The Kinks have been so influential is because their songs expressed what many people felt – and still feel: frustration, aggression, rejection.