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Ready for a Kinks reunion tour?

Dec 28, 2007, 06:00 AM | by Gary Susman

Categories: Music, Rumor Control, To Care or Not to Care

Kinks_l Don't know if this is true ('cause I read it in the British press), but there's a possibility of a reunion tour next year for the original lineup of the Kinks. Which is cool, because there's such a groundswell of demand to see the Davies brothers joined onstage, for the first time since 1969, by drummer Mick Avory (pictured, left) and bassist Pete Quaife (right). Well, okay, not really (the key members of the band, over the last four decades or so, have always been the two squabbling siblings, lead singer/songwriter Ray and guitar feedback-pioneer Dave), but still, this is the classic lineup responsible for all the Kinks' 1960s hits, from "You Really Got Me" to "Waterloo Sunset." Having seen Ray (second from left) and Dave (second from right) perform a live acoustic set together more than a few years ago, I'd be up for seeing them rock out with a band, especially a band not made up of hired ringers. Anyone else able to drum up any excitement for a Kinks reunion tour, or are you — after a year of the Police, Genesis, Van Halen, and (almost) Led Zeppelin — all reunioned out?

Steve Tue, Sep 16, 2008 at 02:57 AM EST

I've been (so tired) of waiting for The Kinks to "do it again". I've flown in from the opposite side of the globe when Dave played at the Alex Theater on Brand Blvd in Glendale in 2003, and I'd do it again! I'm in my mid 50s so I can imagine how Ray & Dave feel with their respective leg and neurological difficulties, but we would love to see the show even with possible showmanship errors. There are only a handful of bands who can entertain they way Ray & Dave do. I'm still waiting for a show in L.A. California.

Martin Mon, Feb 25, 2008 at 02:46 AM EST

I saw Ray performing in Utrecht (NL) 2 years ago and was really suprised by the energy he still puts in these gigs, so I would applaud every effort to get the original band back together (and do some gigs in the Netherlands).

Mickey Thu, Jan 10, 2008 at 06:00 PM EST

I first saw the Kinks I believe in 1978 at the Arlington theatre and will always remember the show-it rocked!The energy was encredible. I was also lucky enough to see them at the Universal Ampithatre when it was "under the stars" and also at the Hollywood Palladium. All shows rocked. I will definitely go at any cost.

Paul H England Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 10:47 AM EST

There has got to be some real compromise for this reunion to happen but the brothers Davies could pull it of. I think the most important thing is that Dave's health is up to it. He does not always get credit for been the true and great he is. It would be sad if his health meant his playing wasn't up to his usual standard. When the Kinks are on form live no one can touch them.

garv Tue, Jan 1, 2008 at 11:25 PM EST

THE KINKS ARE THE VILLAGE GREEN PRESERVATION SOCIETY is my favorite rock album, period. If the boys tour, I'll be there. Hopefully, a new KINKS album will be part of the package. Ray and Dave are still capable of writing lovely songs, and every one of their records, together and solo, are full of gems.

chippy Mon, Dec 31, 2007 at 10:54 AM EST

I have absolutely no recollection of the Kinks.

chippy Mon, Dec 31, 2007 at 10:54 AM EST

I have absolutely no recollection of the Kinks.

Grandpa Mon, Dec 31, 2007 at 09:22 AM EST

I hope they don't bring Lola with them. Unless she is the nurse holding the IV bag full of Geritol. Get over it.

Ben Mon, Dec 31, 2007 at 08:54 AM EST

Definitely. The Kinks live could be a Thanksgiving feast or an elegant buffet. Guaranteed to never leave you empty. Even Soap Opera, I know, I know, was memorable. Show me the dates!!!

Ben Mon, Dec 31, 2007 at 08:44 AM EST

Definitely. The Kinks live could be a Thanksgiving feast or an elegant buffet. Guaranteed to never leave you empty. Even Soap Opera, I know, I know, was memorable. Show me the dates!!!

nathan Sun, Dec 30, 2007 at 09:15 PM EST

Unlike the Police and Van Halen, this would be a reunion tour worth seeing. It would be nice to hear You Really Got Me by the original artist and not that turdburglar David Lee Roth.

Eric J Sun, Dec 30, 2007 at 08:36 PM EST

They should do a double bill with a reunited Oasis.

Donnalynn Roberts Sun, Dec 30, 2007 at 02:25 PM EST


I scraped every dime I had in 1979 and landed in London with a suitcase and no plan except to see The Kinks. After they did their U.S. tour (1980-81?) and returned to London for their final show finally saw them live. I've seen many many many bands over the years including the latest Police and Genesis. However I'd crawl on my knees through broken glass to see The Kinks again and take my 14 year old son. Ray and Dave if you're listening-do it for our kids because you can go home again. See you there

Brian Bess Sun, Dec 30, 2007 at 01:24 PM EST

I'd love for The Kinks to play together again. While Ray and Dave are the core of the band it would be nice to see Mick Avory with them again. I thought his drumming was an essential component of their sound. Pete was a generic bass player as far as I can tell. John Dalton did just as well if not better. I had thought that Dave's stroke and subsequent recovery might put a 'kink' (sorry!) in any reunion plans. However, if they could pull it off and play just a fraction of their great music it could be tremendous.

Jake Podolsky Sun, Dec 30, 2007 at 10:43 AM EST

I have seen the Kinks (en masse) more then a dozen times. I just say Ray in Austin and it set the flames of desire to see them perform together one more time.
I know sibblings squabble. I do with mine. But it's time to bury the hatchet, just not into each other.
One thumbs up for a Kinks reunion.

tom Fri, Dec 28, 2007 at 06:35 PM EST

hard to find anyone who doesn't like Kinks music. Ray (new solo album coming very soon) plans to tour solo this coming spring, so here's hoping a Kinks show or tour will follow.

Catherine Fri, Dec 28, 2007 at 05:12 PM EST

Yup, I'd go. Ray Davies stands head and shoulders above most of today's "talent."

ezzie Fri, Dec 28, 2007 at 12:41 PM EST

this is the one i've been waiting for.

Nancy Walker Fri, Dec 28, 2007 at 12:28 PM EST

I hope this is for real. I would love to see the Kinks in concert. One of my favorite Kinks song is "Don't forget to dance." They are a great band and deserve all the recognition they get.

moonshake Fri, Dec 28, 2007 at 12:11 PM EST

on his website, Dave Davies said (months ago) that there is no way a renunion is going to happen. DAVE DAVIES: "There are no immediate plans for me and Ray to play together as the Kinks just yet. We have discussed this at length. There are several business and personal issues to take into consideration before this would be at all possible. I have not played on any of Rays new stuff. Neither has he performed on my latest CD 'Fractured Mindz' or any of my solo work. I am busy promoting and working on my own projects at the moment and If there are any plans to do Kinks shows in the future be assured that Me and Ray would be the first to know before any speculative or misinformed well wisher or self-promoting drunk for that matter."

BHM1304 Fri, Dec 28, 2007 at 11:44 AM EST

This would be a fantastic idea. The last time I saw Ray and Dave they were part of the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" concert at Cleveland Stadium and I wondered why they weren't getting back together with the band back then because they sounded so good.

This is so much more important than the "Police" "Genesis" or "Van Halen" -- none of which could shine The Davies brothers' shoes.

I am in.

Stephanie T. Fri, Dec 28, 2007 at 11:10 AM EST

Rumor has it that Lepplin is going to be difficult to book at MSG because the price would be a lot more expensive than the ticket cost. I would not be surprised if they wind up doing a Summer gig at Giant Stadium instead. As for the Kinks, this would be a great show because Dave Davies invented the Punk Rock riff (except unlike Punk, Daves played fluid chords so it was not as abstract as Punk), and his brother Ray? Without Ray, Morrissey and other New Wave frontmen would not even exist!

Robert Fri, Dec 28, 2007 at 10:49 AM EST

I'd rather see them than Zeppelin, and hopefully they won't be as blah as the Police were.

Broadway Baby Fri, Dec 28, 2007 at 10:48 AM EST

Yeah a reunion would be fun but what I'd really like from the Kinks is some new material.

MWR Fri, Dec 28, 2007 at 10:22 AM EST

This reunion would trump all the others mentioned. I'm hope Dave Davies is up to it!

Fri, Dec 28, 2007 at 10:09 AM EST

The Kinks were one of a kind and in my opinion an original, let them play on and on. JW

Katie Fri, Dec 28, 2007 at 10:00 AM EST

You can never be reunioned out. Now if only The Smiths will do a reunion... probably never going to happen.

TL Fri, Dec 28, 2007 at 09:41 AM EST

This would be heaven. Hope Pete Quaife is doing OK -- I seem to recall he was ill a few years ago.
As always, Kinks, thank you for the days ...

Sharribell Fri, Dec 28, 2007 at 09:18 AM EST

This would be so awesome. My husband and I fell in love at one of their concerts in CT back in 74, and have been waiting for years to see them again. Let's hope this rumor is TRUE.

Peter Gregory Fri, Dec 28, 2007 at 08:54 AM EST

Kinks rule. I'm in.

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