One of the most enduring sibling rivalries of the last half century is showing signs of a detente: The Kinks’ Ray Davies has confirmed conversations with his younger brother Dave that could reunite the band after decades of fraternal distance.
Creators of such stone-cold rock classics as “All Day and All of the Night,” “You Really Got Me” and “Lola,” the brothers Davies have been on-and-off for decades and have quashed reunion rumors in recent years.
The brothers, who formed the band in 1963, have clashed for decades. Dave, who suffered a stroke in 2004 but has since recovered, once said: “I think Ray has been happy for only three years in his life. And those were the three years before I was born.”
But Ray recently confirmed to the Sunday Times that relations were warming and that he and his brother even survived being in the same room together. He said tentative conversations had begun.
“I met Dave only last week to talk about getting back together again,” he told the newspaper. “We’ve also spoken a few times on the phone and emailed.” Ray added that Dave had been writing new songs on his own, “but I’d really like to write with him again.”
Sunday, Dave confirmed the meeting on his Facebook page, writing: “Ray & Dave Davies have started meeting about a potential The Kinks reunion, but we’re not there quite yet.”
The last time the Davies brothers performed together was in 1996, after they embarked on a large-scale tour. That stint, though, isn’t a model for future gigs, Ray said. “We both agree we don’t want to do old stuff or tour with past hits. It’s got to be something new.”
Recently, though, Ray said a reunion of the two with Kinks drummer Mick Avory still required some healing. “My brother still has an issue with the drummer. If they resolve their issues, I might be there.”
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