Ray Davies: Kinks Are "Three Quarters Of The Way" To Reunion

The Kinks' Ray Davies says the band is "three quarters of the way" toward finally reuniting. "The stumbling block is my brother because he was seriously ill recently and whether he feels ready to do it," Davies told the BBC. Guitarist Dave Davies suffered a stroke in 2004. Dave's health might not be the only issue, however: Back in January, Dave responded to Kinks reunion rumors by saying "It would be like a poor remake of Night of the Living Dead" before poking fun at brother Ray's songwriting talents. Still, Ray Davies made a good point when he said to the BBC, "The amazing thing is that the Kinks are the only band, of that period, where the only original members are still alive." If the Kinks were to reunite, Ray hopes some new music will come out of it, as he "couldn't do it just for nostalgic reasons."

Related Stories:
• Dave Davies on Kinks Reunion: "It Would Be a Remake of 'Night of the Living Dead'"
• The Kinks: The Ultimate Album-by-Album Guide
• Ray Davies Dials Up Showmanship, Kinks Tunes at San Fran Solo Gig

• 
  MUSIC The Top 25 Teen Idol Breakout Moments
• 
  MOVIES & TV 'Game of Thrones': The Show Vs. the Books
• 
  POLITICS Matt Taibbi: Facebook IPO vs. Shareholders
• 
  VIDEOS Exclusive: Garbage Rip Through 'I Think I'm Paranoid'

Song Stories

“Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Nirvana | 1991

"Smells Like Teen Spirit," named after a brand of deodorant marketed to girls, was Kurt Cobain's attempt to "write the ultimate pop song," he said, using the soft-loud dynamic of his favorite band, the Pixies. Cobain "had that dichotomy of punk rage and alienation," the song’s producer, Butch Vig, told Rolling Stone, "but also this vulnerable pop sensibility. In 'Teen Spirit,' a lot of that vulnerability is in the tone of his voice." Sadly, by the time of Nirvana's last U.S. tour, in late '93, Cobain was tortured by the obligation to play "Teen Spirit" every night. "There are many other songs that I have written that are as good, if not better," he claimed.

More Song Stories entries »

Twitter