Ray Davies

Ray Davies
at the Playhouse
Norfolk and Norwich Festival 2014

review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 12 May 2014

Ray Davies, the man behind the influential Kinks band, sat relaxed on stage at the packed Playhouse talking about his life, work and fifty years of music.

As it was the literature section of the festival under the auspices of Writers Centre Norwich he was interviewed by author Peter Blegvad. He didn’t need questions to open up.

He read from his book Americana: The Kinks, The Road and The Perfect Riff to set the scene for a musician, writer, artist and film enthusiast who’s seen and done it all, including being shot in a mugging in New Orleans.

Never far from his working class north London upbringing, Ray has written and sung about Englishness for Britain and America all his career, ‘fighting for his origins’, being true to his unique and authentic voice.

Calling himself an outsider, a ‘fan of music’, he modestly acknowledged success while being self critical and affirming that ‘everyone’s got a story to tell.’

He finished with singing Rock and Roll Cowboys to confirm the power of song, lyrics, movies and his long journey to find his evolving identity.