Ray Davies

The Kinks frontman Ray Davies re-thinks decision to sell the band studio

The Kinks frontman Ray Davies is re-thinking his decision to sell the band’s studio, so he can finish his next album.

The ‘Lola’ hitmaker bought Konk studios in London in 1971 for his band to record and rehearse in – although it has also been used by groups including Blur, Thin Lizzy and The Kooks – but rising costs mean Ray was considering selling up and moving out of the building, although he’s now not so sure.

He told the BBC: “It was up for sale but I’ve got another record I’ve got to do, so we’re debating what to do now. It’s open for discussion.

“There’s a lot of history with The Kinks, we bought it as a hangout really, somewhere we could rehearse and record and it mushroomed into a studio.

“We’ve had some really good acts over the years come here. We’re doing the best we can.”

The Kinks split up in 1996, but Ray is determined to resurrect the group, even if it means doing so without his guitarist brother Dave, who has refused to take part.

He said: “We’ll do it without him if we have to. The music is the issue.”

Dave – who formed the group in 1963 with Ray, who has been its only other constant member – added he hasn’t been in contact with his brother for some time.

He added: “We’ve not spoken for a while. I hear Dave’s more cosmic than ever. I’m a little more based on planet Earth than certain other members of my family.”

The Kinks reissue first three albums and Ray Davies to curate Meltdown

Legendary British guitar group the Kinks are to reissue their first three albums in a double CD deluxe format on March 28th. ‘Kinks’ (1964), ‘Kinda Kinks’ (1965) and ‘The Kink Kontroversey’ (1965) will each be backed with an exhilarating selection of rarities, outtakes, demos, session tracks and in depth liner notes detailing the album’s creation.

A hefty, 28 track version of their debut album ‘Kinks’, comes alongside a disc packed full of bonus material, including alternative takes of ‘Too Much Monkey Business’ and ‘Got Love If You Want It’ as well as BBC interviews with Ray Davies and BBC session tracks. These include the band’s interpretation of Bo Diddley’s ‘Cadillac’, the Number One hit ‘You Really Got Me’ and Number Two single ‘All Day and All of the Night’.

The bonus material included on the ‘Kinda Kinks’ re-issue is just as fascinating, with demo versions of ‘I Go To Sleep’, ‘When I See That Girl Of Mine’ and ‘A Little Bit of Sunlight’ in addition to alternative takes of ‘See My Friends’ and ‘Come On Now’. BBC sessions of ‘Tired of Waiting For You’, ‘This Strange Effect’ and ‘Hide and Seek’ are also included.

‘The Kink Kontroversy”s deluxe material will feature the mono single versions of ‘Dedicated Follower of Fashion’ and ‘I’m Not Like Everybody Else’ as well as album outtake ‘Mr. Reporter’ and ‘Time Will Tell’ and BBC session versions of ‘Where Have All The Good Times Gone’ and ‘Never Met A Girl Like You Before’.

GQ’s 2010 Man Of The Year Awards Honor Men — And Women

Woman of the Year: Gemma Arterton

GQ’s 2010 Man Of The Year Awards Honor Men — And Women. GQ held its 2010 Man of the Year awards at the Royal Opera House in London Tuesday night. The categories spanned from fashion to music to politics.
Giorgio Armani won GQ’s Best Designer prize, and “Kick Ass” and “Nowhere Boy” star Aaron Johnson won the Smirnoff Ice Black Most Stylish accolade, dedicating it to his newly-born daughter and wife Sam Taylor-Wood.

Robert Dizzee Rascal was named Best Solo Artist.

The other men (and woman) of the year were as follows:

Woman of the Year: Gemma Arterton

International Man of the Year: Jon Hamm

Outstanding Achievement: Ray Davies

Newspaper Editor of the Year: Simon Kelner

Band of the Year: Gorillaz

Smirnoff Black Most Stylish Man of the Year: Aaron Johnson

Politician of the Year: David Cameron

TV Personality of the Year: Matt Smith

Alfred Dunhill Cultural Icon: Anish Kapoor

Breakthrough Talent of the Year: Ed Westwick

Entrepreneur of the Year: Nick Jones

Comedian of the Year: James Corden

Editor’s Special: Jason Statham

Chef of the Year: Heston Blumenthal

Sportsman of the Year: Ryan Giggs

Writer of the Year: Martin Amis