I love this post, Dan. I'm about your age, and it reads like I "discovered" The Kinks at about the same time as you with the exact same song. I think GTPWTW was the first Kinks album I ever bought -- I love "Destroyer." I have really gotten to enjoy this band and getting back into its history and those late-60s/early to mid-70s albums when the band (primarily Ray) was doing his English countryside thing. This band never chased trends so much as they did what they wanted and trends caught them. I think that's why early punks were fans of the band yet they're also classic rock and they were at the forefront of arena rock but also prog rock. I could go on about this band for days. Thanks a lot for sharing this -- and thanks for the link to Dave's interview.
The Kinks man. Thanks so much for this one, Dan. In ranking classic rock bands, I have Kinks right outside the holy trinity of Beatles/Stones/Zeppelin....not as the “best” but simply as “favorite.” Ray’s sense of humor is always what I need. Your post really makes me think...it makes me reflect on “best versus favorite” shows I’ve ever seen. What a cool moment in time for you and thanks for sharing it with us.
This brought back so many memories of the era, brother. Had we known each other back then instead of having to wait until our late 20s, I'm sure we would have been thick as thieves, rummaging through thrift stores and record bins on weekends and - yes! - going to see The Kinks looking like a couple of nerdy teenage mods. GSTK, indeed! 👊🏼
I saw the Kinks on that tour in Worcester, MA a couple of months later than your show. Robert Ellis Orrall opened. Your memory of the impact of the Around the Dial opening completely matches mine. I unapologetically love "arena" Kinks, and Ray was such a charismatic, entertaining front man during that period.
You were so cool--Dapper Dan--“braces” and no braces. OMG! Still Dan and still cool, but “dapper”? 🤔Maybe to some?🤷🏼♂️ keep on rockin’🕺🏻Dad
You saw The Shoes, too!
Thanks for sharing!
I love this post, Dan. I'm about your age, and it reads like I "discovered" The Kinks at about the same time as you with the exact same song. I think GTPWTW was the first Kinks album I ever bought -- I love "Destroyer." I have really gotten to enjoy this band and getting back into its history and those late-60s/early to mid-70s albums when the band (primarily Ray) was doing his English countryside thing. This band never chased trends so much as they did what they wanted and trends caught them. I think that's why early punks were fans of the band yet they're also classic rock and they were at the forefront of arena rock but also prog rock. I could go on about this band for days. Thanks a lot for sharing this -- and thanks for the link to Dave's interview.
The Kinks man. Thanks so much for this one, Dan. In ranking classic rock bands, I have Kinks right outside the holy trinity of Beatles/Stones/Zeppelin....not as the “best” but simply as “favorite.” Ray’s sense of humor is always what I need. Your post really makes me think...it makes me reflect on “best versus favorite” shows I’ve ever seen. What a cool moment in time for you and thanks for sharing it with us.
Right on, Michael- glad to know you’re a big Kinks fan!
Dan is a fan and he lives for our music
It's the only thing that gets him by
He's watched us grow and he's seen all our shows
He's seen us low and he's seen us high
And when I feel the world is closing in, I turn my stereo way up high.
Like The Smiths said
But don't forget the songs
That made you cry
And the songs that saved your life
This brought back so many memories of the era, brother. Had we known each other back then instead of having to wait until our late 20s, I'm sure we would have been thick as thieves, rummaging through thrift stores and record bins on weekends and - yes! - going to see The Kinks looking like a couple of nerdy teenage mods. GSTK, indeed! 👊🏼
No question in my mind, brother! 👊🏼
I saw the Kinks on that tour in Worcester, MA a couple of months later than your show. Robert Ellis Orrall opened. Your memory of the impact of the Around the Dial opening completely matches mine. I unapologetically love "arena" Kinks, and Ray was such a charismatic, entertaining front man during that period.
I have mixed feelings about the way their albums of that era sound — but live, they ALWAYS delivered!