The Kinks - Gold - Greatest Hits (1993)

The Kinks were one of the most important bands from the "British Revolution" in the sixties. The band, based in Muswell Hill in London, consisted of the brothers Davies, (Ray and Dave), Mick Avory and Pete Quaife. During their existence they have played different styles of rock('n'roll) music. Interesting were their lyrics, usually about the lower class of society. Singer Ray Davies has always had a fascination for the ordinary people.

After two flops they had their first big hit in 1964: You Really Got Me. This song had a rough guitar riff, that's why some people even call it the first heavy metal song ever.
They kept scoring hits after that, timeless songs like Sunny Afternoon, Waterloo Sunset, Lola and All Day And All Of The Night. Albums such as The Village Green Preservation Society (1968) and Arthur (1969) are seen as classics nowadays.
In the beginning of the seventies it was over with the hit singles. They started a series of rockopera's, which were not very succesful. In 1977, with the release of Sleepwalker, they went back to more normal rock. Their popularity started to rise again, especially in America. They have produced records until 1996, some with more success than others. The band never officially split up, the fans are still hoping for a reunion someday. Ray and Dave are both doing solo tours and releasing solo albums.

Inducted into Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 (Performer).

Pete Quaife, who had been receiving kidney dialysis for more than ten years, died on 23 June 2010, aged 66.