Legendary Bands - The Kinks Posters

In many ways, the Kinks were the most British of all the original British Invasion bands. Like the Replacements years later, however, they often succeeded in shooting themselves in the feet and constantly sabotaging their career.

Brothers Ray and Dave Davies have constantly been at odds, even breaking into fistfights onstage. Not that they didn't thrive early on. Songs like "You Really Got Me" and "Till The End Of The Day"--featuring Dave's patented, distorted power chords and sloppy solos--were not only the blueprint for heavy metal, but the Kinks were probably the most-covered band during the early punk/New Wave explosion, with the Jam and the Pretenders both scoring hits via their music. That's not to say that Ray wasn't already exposing a sensitive side ("Stop Your Sobbing") and a pointed social commentary ("Well Respected Man") from nearly the get-go.

After they were unfortunately banned from touring the U.S. due to union problems in 1965, they concentrated on writing, recording, and developing their craft--with Ray almost becoming the Alexander Pope of British pop. The Kinks wrote the second rock opera, Arthur (the first being the Pretty Things' S.F. Sorrow), and incorporated an Eastern sound way before the Beatles and the Stones did (although, contrary to popular belief, it was not a sitar that the Kinks used, but a detuned guitar).

Though they always had a huge Kult audience in the States--even during their banned years--they've never been granted the same respect that their U.K. peers have received. After the Reprise years--during which they recorded most of their biggest hits, and the era most fans consider their golden period--they signed with RCA.

Following years of theatrical concepts (which, some believe, nearly ruined their career) for that label, they inked with Clive Davis's Arista and went for the big arena/hard rock dollars, which alienated many of their former fans even more. They're probably the only major British Invasion band (and Rock Hall Of Fame inductees) without a label in 1997, following two lackluster releases for MCA and one for Columbia.

Nevertheless, Jimi Hendrix constantly sang their praises...and the Kinks' best music will undoubtedly live on years after most of today's rock hitmakers are long gone. As of this writing, there has even been talk of a Kinks reunion, including original drummer Mick Avory and both Davies brothers.