Ray Davies facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Ray Davies CBE
Davies performing in 1977
Background information
Birth name	Raymond Douglas Davies
Also known as	Raymond Douglas, Godfather of Britpop
Born	(1944-06-21) 21 June 1944 (age 81) London, England
Genres	Rock pop
Occupations	Musician singer songwriter
Instruments	Vocals guitar harmonica keyboards
Years active	1962–present

Sir Raymond Douglas Davies, born on 21 June 1944, is a famous English musician. He was the main singer, guitar player, and songwriter for the rock band the Kinks. He led the band with his younger brother, Dave Davies, who played lead guitar. Ray and Dave were the only members who stayed with the band throughout its history.

Ray Davies is known for writing songs about everyday life, English culture, and memories. People sometimes call him the "Godfather of Britpop". In 1990, he was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Kinks. After The Kinks stopped playing together in 1996, he started his own solo music career.

Ray Davies' Early Life

6 Denmark Terrace, birthplace of the Davies brothers

Raymond Douglas Davies was born in London, England, on 21 June 1944. He was the seventh of eight children in his family. He had six older sisters and a younger brother, Dave. His father, Frederick George Davies, worked hard to support the family.

Ray's mother, Annie Florence Willmore, came from a large family. When Ray was young, one of his older sisters had a child. Ray's mother helped raise this child. Ray went to William Grimshaw Secondary Modern School. His first Spanish guitar was a gift from his oldest sister, Rene. Sadly, Rene passed away when Ray was almost 13 years old.

The Kinks: A Music Journey (1960s–1980s)

Starting The Kinks

Kinks individual photos in 1970

In 1962, Ray Davies was an art student in London. He became very interested in music. He met music promoters who helped him play in bands. For a short time, he was a guitarist for the Dave Hunt Rhythm & Blues Band. This band played at the Crawdaddy Club.

Later, Ray joined the Hamilton King Band. The Kinks, first called the Ramrods, started playing together. In 1964, The Kinks got a record deal. Ray Davies became the main songwriter and leader of the band. Their song "You Really Got Me" became a huge hit that year.

The Kinks experimented with their music. From 1966 to 1975, they had many artistic successes. Their early songs were loud and energetic. But by 1965, their sound became softer and more thoughtful. Songs like "Tired of Waiting for You" showed this change.

Their song "See My Friends" was inspired by his sister Rene's passing. It was one of the first Western pop songs to use Indian sounds. This was before the Beatles used similar sounds in their music.

Mid-Period Success (1965–1975)

Ray Davies with his brother Dave in background, performing with the Kinks (Dutch TV, 1967)

Ray Davies started writing songs about people's lives in England. He wrote about the hopes and problems of working-class people. The album Face to Face (1966) was a big step for the band. Ray's songs became known for their stories and clever observations.

He wrote about rich people, fashion, and even the music business. Songs like "Sunny Afternoon" and "Dedicated Follower of Fashion" were very popular. He also wrote about poverty in songs like "Dead End Street".

The Kinks were known for being very British. Ray Davies loved to write about traditional English culture. Songs like "Village Green" and "Autumn Almanac" celebrated English life. He also used styles from old British music halls.

Ray's songs often talked about finding happiness in simple things. "Waterloo Sunset" is a famous song about finding peace in a city. He also wrote about unique people and lifestyles. "Lola" is a well-known example.

Ray Davies also showed a social conscience in his songs. He wrote about protecting nature and simple living. The album The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society (1968) was all about preserving old English village life.

Another important album was Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) (1969). This was a "rock opera" that told the story of a working-class family. It was inspired by Ray and Dave's brother-in-law, Arthur. The album talked about how England changed over time.

The Kinks then released Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One (1970). This album made fun of the music industry. It was a big hit and included the song "Lola". This was their first US Top Ten hit since 1965.

Later Sound (1976–1984)

Ray Davies performing in Toronto, 1977

In 1976, The Kinks changed record labels. Ray Davies started writing more direct songs. The band also built their own recording studio called "Konk." This helped them create a more polished sound.

Songs from this time included "Life on the Road" and "Misfits". They also wrote about music fans and living life to the fullest. A song called "Father Christmas" was influenced by punk rock.

In the early 1980s, The Kinks became very popular again. They started playing a more mainstream rock style. Albums like Low Budget (1979) and Come Dancing (1982) were very successful. "Come Dancing" was a sentimental song about hope and memories.

Ray Davies: 1990s to Present

Ray Davies has released several solo albums. These include Return to Waterloo (1985) and The Storyteller (1998). More recent albums are Americana (2017) and Our Country: Americana Act II (2018).

In 1990, Ray Davies and The Kinks were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2005, they were also inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame.

Ray Davies has written books too. His autobiography, X-Ray, came out in 1994. He also published a book of short stories called Waterloo Sunset in 1997. He has made a few films, including Return to Waterloo and Americana.

In 2004, Queen Elizabeth II honored Ray Davies. He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his contributions to music.

Davies at Bluesfest 2008 in Ottawa

In 2009, Ray Davies released The Kinks Choral Collection. He worked with the Crouch End Festival Chorus on this album. He also released a charity Christmas song called "Postcard From London."

In 2010, Ray Davies performed with Metallica at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's 25th Anniversary Concert. He also played at the Glastonbury Festival. He dedicated songs to The Kinks' bassist, Pete Quaife, who had recently passed away.

In 2012, Ray Davies performed "Waterloo Sunset" at the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Summer Olympics. Millions of people watched him perform.

In 2015, Ray Davies performed with his brother Dave for the first time in almost 20 years. They played "You Really Got Me" together.

In 2017, Ray Davies was knighted for his services to the arts. This means he can now be called "Sir Ray Davies."

Musicals by Ray Davies

Davies "Other People's Lives" tour Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC 2006

Ray Davies has also written music for stage musicals. In 1981, he wrote his first musical, Chorus Girls.

He also wrote songs for a musical version of Jules Verne's Around the World in 80 Days. This show was called 80 Days and opened in 1988. It won an award for "Best Musical."

His musical Come Dancing was based on his 1983 hit song. It opened in London in 2008.

Sunny Afternoon is a musical about Ray Davies's early life. It features many Kinks songs. The musical opened in London in 2014 and was very popular. It won four awards at the 2015 Olivier Awards.

Awards and Recognition

Ray Davies has received many awards for his music:

• In 1990, The Kinks were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
• In 1999, "You Really Got Me" was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame.
• In 2004, he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
• In 2004, he won the Mojo Songwriter Award.
• In 2005, The Kinks were inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame.
• In 2006, he received the BMI Icon Award.
• In 2010, he won the Outstanding Achievement Award at the GQ Men of the Year Awards.
• In 2014, he was inducted into the American Songwriters Hall of Fame.
• In 2015, he won an Olivier Award for his musical Sunny Afternoon.
• In 2015, Rolling Stone magazine named him one of the "100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time."
• In 2016, he received a BASCA Gold Badge award for his unique music.
• In 2017, he was knighted for his services to the arts.

Ray Davies' Family Life

Ray Davies has been married three times and has four daughters. His first marriage was to Rasa Didzpetris in 1964. They had two daughters, Louisa and Victoria.

He later married Yvonne Gunner in 1974. They did not have children together. In the 1980s, Ray had a daughter named Natalie Rae with Chrissie Hynde, the singer from the Pretenders. His third marriage was to Patricia Crosbie, and they had a daughter named Eva.

In 2004, Ray Davies was shot in the leg while chasing thieves in New Orleans. He recovered from this incident. In 2011, doctors told him to rest due to blood clots in his lungs.

Ray Davies: Solo Albums

• Return to Waterloo (1985)
• The Storyteller (1998)
• Other People's Lives (2006)
• Working Man's Café (2007)
• Americana (2017)
• Our Country: Americana Act II (2018)

Collaborative Albums

• The Kinks Choral Collection (2009) (with the Crouch End Festival Chorus)
• See My Friends (2010)

Compilation Albums

• Collected (2009)
• Waterloo Sunset — The Very Best of The Kinks and Ray Davies (2012)

Songs Written by Ray Davies (Hits for Other Artists)

Ray Davies wrote many songs that became hits for other musicians. Here are some examples:

See also

In Spanish: Ray Davies para niños