Dave Davies
Dave Davies | |
|---|---|
| Born | David Russell Gordon Davies February 3, 1947 Muswell Hill, North London, England |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, guitarist, vocalist, songwriter |
| Years active | 1963–present |
| Known for | Lead guitarist and backing singer for the Kinks; pioneering electric guitar distortion |
David Russell Gordon Davies (pronounced DAY-veez; born 3 February 1947) is an English musician known for his skills as a guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. He served as the lead guitarist and backing singer for the rock group the Kinks, fronted by his older brother and chief songwriter Ray Davies. Throughout the band's existence, the Davies siblings remained its only permanent members. Dave contributed as both a songwriter and lead singer on tracks including "Death of a Clown", "Party Line", "Strangers", and "Rats". Alongside his work with the band, he launched a solo career, issuing several singles in the late 1960s followed by eight full-length solo albums.
Davies is credited with pioneering the use of electric guitar distortion, bringing this effect into mainstream music. His distinctive distorted power chord riffs became influential in shaping future heavy metal and punk rock sounds. As part of the Kinks, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. In 2003, Rolling Stone ranked him 91st among the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".
Early life
Born at 6 Denmark Terrace in Muswell Hill, North London, David Russell Gordon Davies was the youngest among eight siblings. He grew up alongside his elder brother Ray, who would later become his bandmate. Their upbringing was steeped in a variety of musical influences—from their parents’ appreciation for music hall traditions to the jazz and early rock n' roll favored by their older sisters—fostering a competitive atmosphere between the brothers for family attention.
Initially drawn to skiffle music, Davies soon transitioned to electric guitar, exploring rock styles. Along with Ray and their friend Pete Quaife, he frequently practiced in their home’s front room, which served as a central space for musical experimentation and family gatherings. This setting helped shape the Kinks’ fusion of classic British music hall elements with rock. It was here that Dave and Ray developed the iconic two-chord riff featured on their 1964 breakthrough hit "You Really Got Me" using a piano.
Career
In 1963, Davies co-founded the Kinks with Pete Quaife, shortly before Ray joined the ensemble. The lineup was completed with drummer Mick Avory, although Dave’s often fraught relationship with Avory eventually led to Avory’s departure in the mid-1980s despite their earlier period of living together.
Throughout numerous changes in bassists and keyboardists, Ray and Dave remained the band’s foundational members. While Dave frequently assumed a supporting role, he also took lead vocals and songwriting duties on important tracks such as "Party Line" (with lyrics by Ray), "Death of a Clown", and "Strangers".
Early years (1963–1966)
After signing with Pye Records in late 1963—just before Dave Davies turned 17—the Kinks released their debut single, a cover of "Long Tall Sally", in early 1964. Davies crafted the band’s signature distorted power chord sound on their breakthrough track "You Really Got Me" by modifying his Elpico amplifier and routing it through a Vox pre-amplifier. This innovative use of distortion left a lasting impact on genres such as heavy metal and punk rock.
"You Really Got Me" was actually the band's third single; their first two releases had failed to chart. Holding only a three-single contract with Pye, securing a hit was crucial for their continuation. When Pye initially declined to finance studio time for this track, the group sought alternative funding to record it themselves. The single went on to top UK charts and reached number seven in the US, marking their commercial breakthrough.
During the following two years, the Kinks issued three studio albums along with several EPs while extensively touring alongside bands like The Yardbirds and The Mickey Finn. These demanding schedules placed strain on internal relationships within the group. A notable incident occurred in May 1965 at Cardiff’s Capitol Theatre when drummer Mick Avory and Dave Davies engaged in a violent confrontation onstage that required medical treatment for Davies.
By the late 1960s, under Ray Davies’ maturing songwriting direction, the band evolved from its initial R&B and blues roots toward a more reflective and nostalgic sound. This stylistic shift is exemplified by songs such as "Autumn Almanac" and "Waterloo Sunset" as well as albums like Something Else by the Kinks and The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society.
Late 1960s and solo endeavors
In July 1967, Dave Davies launched his solo career with the single "Death of a Clown," credited exclusively to him despite being co-written with his brother. Prior to this, Davies’ contributions to the Kinks had been limited to B-sides and album tracks. Recognizing the commercial promise of a solo release, Pye Records—the Kinks' label—issued "Death of a Clown" as Davies’ debut single. Although attributed solely to him, the backing instrumentation was performed by the Kinks, and the song also featured on the album Something Else by the Kinks.
The single climbed to number three on the UK Singles Chart. Building on this success, plans were made for a solo album in 1968 or 1969. The follow-up single, "Susannah's Still Alive," released in November 1967, reached number 20 on the Melody Maker chart. The album’s release was postponed pending further assessment of single performances. Known informally as A Hole in the Sock Of, the album project was ultimately abandoned after subsequent singles "Lincoln County" and "Hold My Hand" failed to make an impact on the charts. This outcome, coupled with Davies’ diminishing enthusiasm and Pye Records withdrawing its backing, led to shelving the album.
The material intended for this unreleased LP was eventually compiled into 2011’s Hidden Treasures, curated by Russell Smith and Andrew Sandoval. This compilation brought together singles, B-sides from Kinks records, and select tracks previously included in the 1987 collection The Album That Never Was.
During this period, the albums The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society (1968) and Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) (1969) were met with critical praise but did not achieve significant commercial success. Village Green failed to enter international charts, while Arthur garnered favorable reviews but only moderate sales.
"Lola", Muswell Hillbillies, and theatrical phase
Following Arthur, the Kinks released the successful single "Lola" along with the concept album Lola versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One in 1970. Dave Davies contributed two songs: the acoustic piece "Strangers" and the more hard-edged "Rats." The subsequent album, Muswell Hillbillies (1971), embraced country-rock and Americana influences, earning critical acclaim despite modest commercial performance. The band’s next five albums—Everybody's in Show-Biz, Preservation: Act 1, Preservation: Act 2, The Kinks Present A Soap Opera, and Schoolboys in Disgrace—featured expanded theatrical elements but were generally met with poor sales and lukewarm reviews.
In 1977, after departing from RCA Records to join Arista Records, the Kinks streamlined their lineup by removing additional backing vocalists and brass players, reverting to a five-member rock band format. Their debut release on Arista, Sleepwalker, marked both a commercial resurgence and positive critical reception, initiating their arena rock era characterized by more polished production values. Dave Davies regarded this album highly for its guitar-centric approach and counted it among his preferred works.
1980s and Beyond
In the early 1980s, the group attained their highest commercial success by embracing the promotional opportunities offered by MTV. Their 1982/83 single "Come Dancing" marked their most significant hit since 1965, climbing to number 12 on the UK charts and reaching number 6 in the US.
By 1985, their popularity waned, leading to drummer Mick Avory’s departure amid conflicts with Dave Davies. Bob Henrit stepped in as his replacement, while Avory took charge of Konk Studios and contributed as a producer. The band transitioned to MCA Records in the US and London Records in the UK, releasing Think Visual (1986). Although it reached number 81 on the Billboard charts, critical reception was tepid. Dave Davies wrote "Rock 'n' Roll Cities" and "When You Were a Child" for the album, which critics considered a creative stagnation.
Several more albums followed under MCA, including UK Jive in 1989, which showed modest improvement but did not enter the Top 100. Dave’s songwriting contributions included "Dear Margaret" on vinyl editions and "Bright Lights" alongside "Perfect Strangers" on cassette and CD formats.
After parting ways with MCA, The Kinks found it difficult to secure a new record deal. Despite the original four members being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, this accolade did not translate into increased sales. They eventually signed with Columbia Records for their final studio effort, Phobia (1993), which peaked at number 166 amid disappointing single performances. Dave Davies contributed tracks such as "It's Alright (Don't Think About It)" and "Close to the Wire."
Columbia Records dropped the band in 1994, prompting a return to their own Konk label and an independent release of To The Bone through Grapevine Records.
In 1996, The Kinks ceased recording and touring activities. However, Ray and Dave reunited on stage for a rendition of "You Really Got Me" at London's Islington Assembly Hall in December 2015—a performance that received acclaim from Rolling Stone magazine.
Solo Career: 1980s to Present
Dave Davies restarted his solo pursuits in 1980 with the album Dave Davies (AFL1-3603), where he played all instruments himself; it reached number 42 on the Billboard 200 chart. This was followed by Glamour (1981), which charted at number 152 and featured a supporting band. His next release, Chosen People (1983), did not chart on Billboard.
After a hiatus spanning two decades, Davies released Bug in 2002, then followed up with Fractured Mindz in 2007. This album marked his first studio output after suffering a stroke in 2004, aside from contributing the track "God in my Brain" to the 2006 compilation Kinked.
In 2010, Davies collaborated with his son Russ to form The Aschere Project, producing Two Worlds, an album that fused rock with classical and electronic elements. That same year saw the release of his autobiographical DVD titled Mystical Journey. A planned US tour was postponed due to health concerns.
Davies’ sixth solo studio album, I Will Be Me, was launched globally on June 4, 2013, supported by a brief tour across the United States. In February 2014, he performed his first UK concert in thirteen years. To celebrate The Kinks' 50th anniversary, he released Rippin' Up Time in October 2014 and promoted it with an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, which earned the highest ratings for that show during that year.
In 2015, Davies issued Rippin Up New York City via Red River Entertainment while touring throughout the US. On December 18 of that year, at London's Islington Assembly Hall, he reunited on stage with brother Ray Davies to perform "You Really Got Me," marking their first joint performance in almost two decades.
Signature Instruments
Davies is most famously associated with his Gibson Flying V, which he acquired in 1965. At that period, the Flying V had been discontinued due to weak sales, but Davies, alongside other guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, played a significant role in resurrecting its appeal, eventually cementing its status as a symbol of the heavy metal movement.
He recounted purchasing the Flying V following the loss of a custom Guild guitar while on tour:
Throughout his musical journey, Davies has utilized a diverse range of guitars, including several Gibson Les Paul variants (Standard, Custom, Deluxe, Artisan, Goldtop), Fender Telecasters (Elite, American Standard, '63 sunburst), a 1954 Fender Stratocaster, Gibson L5-S and L6-S models, a Guild F-512 NT 12-string acoustic, and the Harmony Meteor.
Personal Life and Health
At age 15, Davies was expelled from school after being discovered with his girlfriend Sue Sheehan, who was pregnant; their respective families intervened to separate them. This episode inspired multiple songs such as "Funny Face" and "Susannah's Still Alive." In 1967, Davies married Lisbet—who was connected to Pete Quaife’s first wife—and they divorced in 1990; together they had four sons. Additionally, he fathered three children with Nancy Evans. Davies briefly rekindled his relationship with Sheehan during the late 1990s.
His 1996 memoir Kink disclosed his bisexuality and recounted relationships with individuals like Long John Baldry and producer Michael Aldred. The book also addressed conflicts with his brother concerning The Kinks' trajectory.
A committed vegetarian since the late 1960s, Davies holds the view that meat negatively affects the nervous system.
On 30 June 2004, Davies experienced a stroke while promoting his album Bug; he was released from hospital by August and had recovered enough by 2006 to resume performing.
In 2013, Rolling Stone covered Davies’ relationship with Rebecca G. Wilson, who provided backing vocals on his records and toured as his supporting singer beginning in 2014.
His second autobiography, Living on a Thin Line (2022), reveals his encounters with hearing voices during a 1982 tour in the United States—voices he believed were alien entities exerting control over him. The book also offers an honest examination of his personal relationships and family interactions.
Studio Albums
- AFL1-3603 (1980) US Billboard peak No. 42
- Glamour (1981) US Billboard peak No. 152
- Chosen People (1983) US Billboard peak No. 202
- Bug (2002)
- Fractured Mindz (2007)
- I Will Be Me (2013)
- Rippin' Up Time (2014)
- Open Road (2017) collaboration with Russ Davies
Soundtrack Album
- Village of the Damned (1995) with John Carpenter
Live Albums
- Rock Bottom - Live at The Bottom Line (2000)
- Transformation - Live at The Alex Theatre (2003)
- Rainy Day in June (2004)
- Rippin' Up New York City - Live at the Winery NYC (2015)
Official Bootlegs
- Solo Live - Live Solo Performance at Marian College (2000)
- Bugged... Live! (2002)
- Belly Up (2008) – recorded live at San Diego’s Belly Up Club in 1997, marking Davies’ initial major solo tour across the U.S.
- Around the Galaxy (2009)
Compilation albums
- The Album That Never Was (1987) – a collection of singles intended for his shelved debut solo record
- Unfinished Business (1999)
- Kinked (2006, Koch Records)
- Hidden Treasures (2011) – features both released and unreleased tracks from his unreleased first solo album
- Decade (2018) – a compilation of previously unreleased material from the 1970s
Singles
| Release date | Title | Chart positions | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | AUS | BEL | GER | NLD | NZ | SWE | NOR | ||
| 1967 | "Death of a Clown" | 3 | 37 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 10 | — | 7 |
| January 1968 | "Susannah's Still Alive" | 20 | — | — | 27 | 10 | — | 18 | 3 |
| July 1968 | "Lincoln County" | — | — | — | — | 15 | — | — | — |
| January 1969 | "Hold My Hand" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Other appearances
rowspan=2 |2012| Year | Song | Album | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)" | 'Songs from the Material World: A Tribute to George Harrison' | 'George Harrison' cover version |
| "Money Maker" | 'Black and Blue: A Tribute to the Black Keys' | (with Huw Lloyd-Langton) | |
| "My Generation" | 'Who Are You: An All Star Tribute to The Who' | (featuring Knox and Rat Scabies) | |
| 2013 | "After the Ball (1892)" | 'The Beautiful Old: Turn-of-the-Century Songs' | 'Traditional' piece |
Demo recordings (The Meta Media Demo Series)
- Fortis Green (1999)
- Fragile (2001)
Guest appearances
- Provided lead guitar on the opening track of the In the Mouth of Madness soundtrack (1995)
Collaborations with Russ Davies
- Purusha and the Spiritual Planet under the name Crystal Radio (1998)
- Two Worlds as The Aschere Project (2010)