From The Guardian:
Kinks frontman Ray Davies, 72, said he felt a mixture of joy and embarrassment on being awarded a knighthood for services to the arts. Despite The Kinks parting ways in 1996, Davies forged a solo career and two years ago collaborated on Sunny Afternoon, the Olivier-award wining musical based on his music and lyrics.
“This is for the people who supported my music over the years,” said Davies. “I’m kind of reluctant to collect rewards. I usually back out of ceremonies. I’m kind of a shy person.”
To which I can only add -- WHAT TOOK THEM SO FUCKING LONG?
Ladies and gentlemen, the most beautiful song written in English in the second half of the 20th Century.
Congratulations, Sir Ray.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
10 comments:
An absolutely outstanding song that, I believe, never made Billboard's charts. Unbelievable.
From "Face To Face" Through "Everybody's in Show-Biz". Some of my favorite music, ever. I had the good fortune of seeing "Preservation" on stage with all the costume changes, films etc.
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Such a beautiful song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now the two asshole brothers need to reunite the band for one last recording and tour!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Captain Al
And Happy New Year, everybody.
Yeah, kinda strange that someone whose art is so very distinctly British, had been passed up for so long. As far as that shit goes, congrats.
Correct John K, Even though it was #1 on Radio London, "Waterloo Sunset" was never on, or even bubbled under, the Billboard charts. But it was a big hit in Hawaii. My dad was working a job there in summer 1967 and took me and Sandy along. It was always on the radio. Musta been in the Top Ten at least. KRLA played it alot too. In 1967, they were the hip AM and took requests big time.
For me, it's a shock similar to Them's "Baby Please Don't Go"/"Gloria" performing so poorly on the Billboard charts when it was a double sided Number 1 in Southern California.
The Kinks are dead. Long live the Kinks. Seem 'em group and solo since 1965 when they opened for Beach Boys at the Hollywood Bowl. Even at the '82 US Festival clad in only a Union Jack for a cape. One of the people I was with light-weighted out on shrooms and got so paranoid we had to get medical assistance. I told her to carry a squirt gun in her purse for that eventuality, but she didn't listen. Fucked up our high worse than Pat Benatar did. Guess she couldn't handle 7 grams. We left her in the medical tent with a cute EMT guy (they ended up becoming an item), so we could see Petty finish the show with a disappointingly short set.
Have an E.coli free New Year
VR
I agree about the two bros reuniting once more. The Kinks weren't about youthful angst so much as wry observations and satire. That is something guys in their sixties can still pull off. Coming from another angle Davies songs were as powerful as the best McCartney/Lennon compositions and it's nice to the man has been Knighted...better late than...
Some wonderful news to bring 2016 to a merciful end.
Still the most overlooked catalog of the past 50 years. Maybe this helps create a renaissance.
God save the Kinks!
When I grow I will fight
For this land I shall die
Let her sun never set
Victoria...
Hey, we got round to it in the end and HM The Queen honoured him officially! The newish album where (Sir) Ray sings the Kinks' stuff with The Crouch End Festival Chorus is a real belter, isn't it?
I saw Ray in concert a few years ago and there were 2 young ladies standing behind me who took the part of the choir and absolutely nailed it! Only time I was happy to hear someone singing along at a concert right in my ear. I should have thanked them.
He deserves knighthood just for this song!
Post a Comment