Ray Davies
Ray Davies | |
|---|---|
| Born | Raymond Douglas Davies June 21, 1944 Fortis Green, London, England |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 1962–present |
| Known for | Lead singer and principal songwriter of the Kinks |
Sir Raymond Douglas Davies ( ; born 21 June 1944) is a renowned English musician, chiefly recognized as the lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and principal songwriter for the rock group the Kinks. He fronted the band alongside his younger sibling Dave Davies, who contributed lead guitar and backing vocals; these two were the sole members to remain throughout the band's entire duration. Davies is celebrated for his lyrics that emphasize English traditions, nostalgia, and social commentary, which earned him the moniker "Godfather of Britpop"—a designation he has contested. In 1990, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of the Kinks. Following the band's dissolution in 1996, Davies embarked on a solo music career.
Early years
Raymond Douglas Davies entered the world at 6 Denmark Terrace in Fortis Green, London, on 21 June 1944. He was the seventh child among eight siblings born to working-class parents, including six older sisters and a younger brother, Dave Davies. His father, Frederick George Davies, worked in a slaughterhouse and originally carried the surname Kelly before changing it to Davies. Frederick was known for his frequent visits to pubs and had a reputation as a ladies' man. On his paternal side, Henry Kelly, a greengrocer by trade, married Amy Elizabeth Smith; their union ended when Amy left to live with Harry Davies, who subsequently became Frederick’s stepfather.
Davies’s mother, Annie Florence Willmore, hailed from a large family and was characterized as sharp-tongued and assertive. One of Ray’s elder sisters achieved fame as a dance hall performer but bore a child out of wedlock with an African immigrant who later vanished; this child was brought up by Ray’s mother.
He attended William Grimshaw Secondary Modern School in Muswell Hill (now known as Fortismere School), where he was a schoolmate of Rod Stewart. His first Spanish guitar was gifted by his eldest sister Rene on his birthday; tragically, she passed away suddenly from a heart attack at age 31 on the eve of Ray's 13th birthday in June 1957.
The Kinks' early years
While studying art at Hornsey College of Art in London (1962–63), Davies developed a keen passion for music late in 1962. At a college dance event, he met Alexis Korner and promoter Giorgio Gomelsky, who arranged for Davies to perform at his Piccadilly Club. Soon after, he joined the Dave Hunt Band as guitarist—the house band at Gomelsky's Crawdaddy Club in Richmond-upon-Thames. During the severe winter of 1962–63, when the band was snowed in, the Rolling Stones took over their residency. Subsequently, Davies became part of the Hamilton King Band until June 1963. The Kinks (initially called the Ramrods) toured US military bases supporting Rick Wayne.
After securing a recording deal in early 1964, Davies emerged as the primary songwriter and leader, propelling the band to success with their third single released in August, "You Really Got Me". From 1966 through 1975, he steered the Kinks through various musical explorations that brought both critical acclaim and commercial achievement.
The band's 1964 sessions featured R&B covers such as "Long Tall Sally" and "Got Love If You Want It", along with Ray Davies's early compositions like "You Still Want Me" and "Something Better Beginning". Their initial hits "You Really Got Me" and "All Day and All of the Night" were groundbreaking proto-metal and protopunk hard rock tracks distinguished by their use of power chords.
By 1965, their sound evolved toward a gentler and more reflective style with singles including "Tired of Waiting for You", "Nothin' in the World Can Stop Me Worryin' 'Bout That Girl", "Set Me Free", "I Go to Sleep", and "Ring the Bells". The pioneering track "See My Friends", influenced by Davies’s sister Rene’s death in 1957, represented an early foray into psychedelic rock and is recognized as the first Western pop song to integrate Indian raga elements—preceding the Beatles' "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" by half a year.
Mid-period (1965–1975)
Beginning with tracks like "A Well Respected Man" and "Where Have All the Good Times Gone" in 1965, Davies shifted his lyrical focus toward sociological themes, delving into the hopes and frustrations experienced by the working class within Britain's rigid social hierarchy. The 1966 release of Face to Face, the band's first album composed entirely of original material, represented a major creative advancement, featuring dramatic sound effects and intricate baroque arrangements. Davies’s songwriting during this time blended storytelling, keen observation, and social critique, targeting upper-class complacency ("A House in the Country", "Sunny Afternoon"), the ostentatiousness of newly wealthy individuals ("Most Exclusive Residence For Sale"), and even critiquing the exploitative nature of the music industry ("Session Man").
By the end of 1966, Davies confronted urban destitution in songs such as "Dead End Street" and "Big Black Smoke". Tracks including "Situation Vacant" (1967) and "Shangri-La" (1969) explored the underlying anxieties of working-class life masked by material success. The 1966 single "Dedicated Follower of Fashion" offered a sharp satire on consumerism and celebrity obsession, while "David Watts" (1967) humorously depicted envy tied to social status.
The Kinks became known as "the most resolutely British of the Brit Invasion bands," with Davies evoking England’s imperial heritage and traditional culture through compositions like "Village Green" (1966), "Afternoon Tea" (1967), and "Victoria" (1969). He revived elements of British music hall and traditional jazz within songs such as "Dedicated Follower of Fashion", "Sunny Afternoon", and "Dandy". The band’s sound also incorporated an array of diverse musical influences including raga ("Fancy"), bossa nova ("No Return"), and calypso ("Apeman", "Supersonic Rocket Ship").
Davies frequently highlighted modest pleasures over grand ambition in pieces like "This is Where I Belong" (1966) and "Sweet Lady Genevieve" (1973), while celebrating themes of friendship and reminiscence in hits such as "Waterloo Sunset" (1967) and "Days" (1968). His work also championed individuality with songs like "I'm Not Like Everybody Else" (1966) and "Lola" (1970).
Throughout this middle period, Davies’s social awareness became increasingly evident: "Holiday in Waikiki" (1966) criticized cultural commodification; 1970’s "God's Children" and "Apeman," along with selections from Muswell Hillbillies (1971), denounced industrial growth and bureaucratic control, advocating instead for a return to pastoral simplicity. The critically acclaimed 1968 concept album The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society nostalgically called for safeguarding traditional English village life.
A pivotal achievement in Davies’s songwriting career, Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) (1969) is a rock opera that traces a working-class family’s journey from Victorian times through to the 1960s. Partly inspired by Davies’s brother-in-law Arthur Anning, it combines personal narrative with satirical reflections on the waning British Empire.
Following Arthur, Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One (1970) offered a biting critique of the music business, featuring the hit single "Lola," which became their first US Top Ten entry since 1965. This album marked their final release before moving to RCA Records. During the RCA era (1971–75), they produced albums including Muswell Hillbillies, Everybody's in Show-Biz, Preservation Act 1, Act 2, Soap Opera, and Schoolboys in Disgrace.
Later period (1976–1984)
Following their transition from RCA to Arista in 1976, Davies moved away from elaborate concept albums and rock operas, opting instead for more direct songwriting. The group set up their own studio in London named "Konk," where they applied sophisticated production methods to achieve a refined sound on albums such as Sleepwalker (1977) and Misfits (1978). Davies concentrated on ballads that delved into themes like alienation ("Life on the Road", "Misfits"), fan fixation ("Juke Box Music", "A Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy"), and embracing the present ("Life Goes On", "Get Up"). The 1977 single "Father Christmas" showcased punk influences and highlighted Davies's difficulties collaborating with Tom Robinson.
In the early 1980s, the Kinks regained commercial momentum by embracing a mainstream arena rock sound. Their last four albums under Arista—Low Budget (1979), Give the People What They Want (1981), State of Confusion (1983), and Word of Mouth (1984)—reflected a calculated, opportunistic strategy. Songs such as "(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman" addressed the 1979 energy crisis with disco rhythms, while "A Gallon of Gas" employed a classic blues shuffle. Nostalgic tunes like "Better Things" (1981) and "Come Dancing" (1982) resonated with sentimental listeners. In contrast, harder rock numbers like "Destroyer" and "Do It Again" expressed cynicism and weariness with the world.
1990s–present
In addition to his extensive work with the Kinks, Davies has produced seven solo records: Return to Waterloo (1985), The Storyteller (1998), Other People's Lives (2006), Working Man's Café (2007), The Kinks Choral Collection (2009), Americana (2017), and its sequel Our Country: Americana Act II (2018).
In 1986, Davies contributed the track "Quiet Life" for Julien Temple's musical film Absolute Beginners, adapted from Colin MacInnes' novel, also making an on-screen appearance performing the piece.
Davies, along with the Kinks, was inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005.
He released his unauthorized memoir, X-Ray, in 1994, followed by a collection of short stories titled Waterloo Sunset in 1997. Additionally, Davies directed three films: Return to Waterloo (1985), Weird Nightmare (1991), and Americana.
Honored as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2004, Davies issued two EPs in 2005: The Tourist for the UK market and Thanksgiving Day in the United States.
Beginning in 2007, Davies collaborated with the Crouch End Festival Chorus on The Kinks Choral Collection, which was released in 2009. A special edition featured the charity single "Postcard From London," a duet with Chrissie Hynde directed by Julien Temple and showcasing iconic London landmarks.
In October 2009, Davies joined Metallica to perform "All Day and All of the Night" at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's 25th Anniversary Concert.
He acted as a judge for the Independent Music Awards in both 2004 and 2008, supporting emerging independent musicians.
At Glastonbury Festival in 2010, Davies paid tribute to late Kinks bassist Pete Quaife through dedicated performances. Later that year, he released a collaborative album titled See My Friends, which saw a US release in early 2011.
Davies returned to New Orleans in 2011 for the Voodoo Experience festival, performing selections from both his solo career and the Kinks catalogue, supported by The 88 during an autumn tour. In August 2012, he performed "Waterloo Sunset" at the London Olympics closing ceremony, an event viewed by over 24 million people across the UK.
On 18 December 2015, Ray reunited with his brother Dave Davies for an encore at London's Islington Assembly Hall—their first joint appearance in nearly twenty years.
April 2017 saw Davies release Americana, inspired by his experiences across America and backed by alt-country group The Jayhawks. Its follow-up album, Our Country: Americana Act II, was released in June 2018. This project expands upon his earlier DVD work and biographical book also titled Americana (2013).
Davies received a knighthood in the 2017 New Year Honours for his contributions to the arts.
Musicals
In 1981, Davies collaborated on his inaugural stage musical, Chorus Girls, which premiered at London's Theatre Royal Stratford East. The cast included prominent performers such as Marc Sinden, with Adrian Shergold directing, Charles Augins handling choreography, and Jim Rodford playing bass as part of the theatre’s resident band.
Davies wrote the score for 80 Days, a musical adaptation of Jules Verne's novel Around the World in 80 Days, featuring a script by Snoo Wilson. This production, directed by Des McAnuff, was staged at San Diego's La Jolla Playhouse in 1988. Although critics offered mixed opinions, the music, direction, and acting received acclaim, culminating in the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle awarding it "Best Musical."
His musical Come Dancing, inspired by his 1983 chart hit and including twenty new compositions, was performed at Theatre Royal Stratford East in late 2008.
Sunny Afternoon, portraying Davies's early years alongside songs by The Kinks, debuted at Hampstead Theatre before transferring to London's West End in 2014. It earned four Olivier Awards in 2015, among them Outstanding Achievement in Music awarded to Davies. The production made its North American premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theater in March 2025.
Awards
- In 1990, The Kinks became the third British group, following the Who, to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. During the ceremony, Davies was described as "arguably rock’s most literate, witty and perceptive songwriter." Inducted members included Avory, the Davies siblings, and Quaife.
- The song "You Really Got Me" was entered into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.
- Davies received the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his contributions to music during the 2004 New Year Honours.
- On 22 June 2004, he was honored with the Mojo Songwriter Award for his enduring talent in crafting timeless songs.
- The Kinks were inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005.
- At the BMI London Awards on 3 October 2006, Davies was presented with the BMI Icon Award recognizing his significant impact on fellow musicians.
- The musical Come Dancing won The Mobius Best Off-West End Production accolade in 2009.
- Davies received the Outstanding Achievement Award at the GQ Men of the Year Awards on 7 September 2010.
- On 26 October 2010, during his concert at AVO Session in Basel—broadcast internationally—he was bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award.
- He was inducted into the American Songwriters Hall of Fame on 12 June 2014.
- On 12 April 2015, Davies earned an Olivier Award for Outstanding Musical Achievement for Sunny Afternoon, which also garnered three additional Olivier Awards.
- In August 2015, he was ranked number 27 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of "100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time."
- Davies received a BASCA Gold Badge award on 3 October 2016 for his distinctive contributions to music.
- He was knighted in the 2017 New Year Honours for his services to the arts.
Personal life
Davies has entered into matrimony on three occasions and is the father of four daughters.
His first marriage occurred in 1964 to Rasa Didzpetris, with whom he had two daughters named Louisa and Victoria.
For a period of five years, he legally adopted the name Raymond Douglas, a change that allowed him to maintain privacy during his second marriage in 1974 to Yvonne Gunner. This union produced no offspring and ended in divorce in 1981.
During the 1980s, Davies was involved with Chrissie Hynde, lead singer of the Pretenders, and they had a daughter together named Natalie Rae Hynde.
His third marriage was to Patricia Crosbie, an Irish ballet dancer, and they had one daughter called Eva.
In January 2004, Davies sustained a gunshot wound to his leg while attempting to apprehend thieves in New Orleans. Although an individual was taken into custody, the charges were subsequently dismissed after Davies returned to London and did not participate in the court proceedings.
In June 2011, medical advice required Davies to take a six-month rest following the diagnosis of blood clots in his lungs.
Studio albums
| Year | Album Title | Highest Chart Positions | Certification | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | GER | NED | SWE | US | ||||||
| 1985 | Return to Waterloo | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| 1998 | The Storyteller | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| 2006 | Other People's Lives | 36 | 48 | 70 | 33 | 122 | ||||
| 2007 | Working Man's Café | — | — | — | 46 | 140 | ||||
| 2009 | The Kinks Choral Collection (with the Crouch End Festival Chorus) |
28 | — | 96 | — | — | ||||
| 2010 | See My Friends | 12 | 50 | 54 | — | — |
| |||
| 2017 | Americana | 15 | 26 | 18 | 21 | 79 | ||||
| 2018 | Our Country: Americana Act II | 58 | 56 | 63 | 41 | — | ||||
| "—" indicates album did not enter charts in that region. | ||||||||||
Compilation albums
- Collected (2009)
- Waterloo Sunset – The Very Best of The Kinks and Ray Davies (2012) (UK peak position No. 14)
Charting singles penned by Davies
Presented below is a compilation of Davies' songwriting credits that achieved chart success when performed by artists other than the Kinks, including some tracks that initially found popularity with the Kinks themselves. (For hits exclusively by the Kinks, refer to The Kinks discography.)
| Year | Song Title | Performer | Peak Chart Positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | Canada | US Hot 100 | |||
| 1965 | "This Strange Effect" | Dave Berry | 37 | ||
| "Something Better Beginning" | The Honeycombs | 39 | |||
| 1966 | "A House in the Country" | The Pretty Things | 50 | ||
| "Dandy" | Herman's Hermits | 1 | 5 | ||
| 1978 | "You Really Got Me" | Van Halen | 49 | 36 | |
| "David Watts" | The Jam | 25 | |||
| 1979 | "Stop Your Sobbing" | The Pretenders | 34 | 65 | |
| 1981 | "I Go To Sleep" | The Pretenders | 7 | ||
| 1988 | "All Day and All of the Night" | The Stranglers | 7 | ||
| "Victoria" | The Fall | 35 | |||
| 1989 | "Days" | Kirsty MacColl | 12 | ||
| 1997 | "Waterloo Sunset" | Cathy Dennis | 11 | ||
| 2007 | "The Village Green Preservation Society" | Kate Rusby | 102 | ||
Additional resources
- Polito, Robert. Bits of Me Scattered Everywhere: Ray Davies and the Kinks, pages 119–144 in Eric Weisbard, editor, This is Pop, Harvard University Press, 2004.
- Rogan, Johnny. Ray Davies: a complicated life, Vintage, 2015.