Unlike many groups at the forefront of the British Invasion, The Kinks enjoyed longevity. This can be put down to the undeniable talents of brothers, Ray and Dave Davies, who were born in London in the mid-1940s.
The pair, on vocals and guitar, was to be joined by bassist, Peter Quaife and drummer, Mick Avory. In August of 1964 the group was launched into the international spotlight when its initial hit, “You Really Got Me”, went to No.1 in Britain and entered the Top Ten in the United States. In fact, The Kinks’ first dozen singles to enter the British charts all reached the Top Twenty, with eleven of them peaking in the Top Ten; three of them at number one. All of this had been achieved in the space of just three years.
In 1970, two more recordings, “Lola” and “Apeman”, followed suit. However, a hiatus of almost a decade, from 1972, ensued and it seemed as if The Kinks’ knack of entering the charts had evaporated, when, suddenly, as if from out of the blue, the quartet resurfaced; most noticeably with the ditty, “Come Dancing”, in 1983.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixqbc7X2NQY
Ray Davies’ ability to write songs on such an eclectic range of themes, such as the austerity in Britain at the time of “Dead End Street” or the world of transvestism, in “Lola”, ensured that the music of The Kinks contained the merit to survive and entertain future generations. “Waterloo Sunset”, is a personal favourite of mine.
For the names of other recordings by The Kinks, please, refer to the suggested playlist.