A Bit Kinky Trivia Quiz

Answer: Dave and Ray Davies

Dave and Ray Davies were born in London and formed their first band at the beginning of the '60s, 'The Ray Davies Quartet'. According to Ray Davies the name 'The Kinks' was suggested by Larry Page, a former pop singer and one of the bands managers, Ray has been quoted as saying that he has never liked the name.

*Useless Information*: At the start of their career as 'The Ray Davies Quartet' they had a number of different lead vocalists including one Mr Rod Stewart who performed with them on at least one occasion in 1962.

Answer: You Really Got Me

It has been claimed by Robert Walser, an American musicologist, that 'You Really Got Me' was "the track which invented heavy metal" (Wikipedia reference to Running with the Devil: Power, Gender, and Madness in Heavy Metal Music, p.9.). In 2005 the track was voted as the best British song of 1955-1965 in a poll of BBC listeners. 'Rolling Stone' listed it at number four in their list of '100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time'

*Useless Information*: The distinctive guitar sound on this track was created by Dave Davies who slit the cone of his amplifier and poked it with a pin.

Answer: days

Whilst The Kinks version of 'Days' did not chart on the US Billboard 100 it did reach number 12 in the UK. Coincidentally Kirsty MacColl's version also charted at number twelve in the UK, exactly 21 years later, also without reaching the American charts.

Answer: Autumn Almanac

Ray Davies in his autobiography 'X-Ray' claims the song was inspired by an old hunch-backed gardener who frequented Muswell Hill where the Kinks grew up - presumably this accounts for the line...

'Lala La La La Lala La La La La Lala Whoa my poor rheumatic back'

Answer: David Watts

David Watts, it is claimed in "The Kinks: The Official Biography", is based on a real character who was a concert promoter in Rutland, UK. According to Ray Davies the person concerned was 'gay' and 'expressed an interest' in Ray's brother Dave. This appears to be borne out in the lyrics of the song "and all the girls of the neighbourhood try to go out with David Watts.

They do their best but can't succeed, for he is of pure and noble breed."

Answer: Parking Lot

'Come Dancing' reached number six in the Billboard charts in 1983. Originally it was released in the UK in 1982 and failed to chart, it was re-released in 1983 and reached number 12 after being shown on 'Top of the Pops' (A British music show) which had as part of the programme a selection of US charting hits.

The song is a tribute to the Davies's sister, Rene, who gave Ray Davies a guitar for his 13th birthday... that night she went dancing to the 'local palais' - The Lyceum Ballroom - and suffered a fatal heart attack whilst dancing.

A Palais, for those who are unfamiliar with UK slang, is best described as a dance hall.

Answer: Lola

Probably one of The Kinks most well known songs 'Lola' reached number two in the UK and number nine on the Billboard hot 100 in 1970.
According to 'The Kinks:The Official Biography' the song was based on an encounter that the bands manager (Robert Wace) had with a transvestite in a night club.

*Useless information*: The original recording included the verse:

'I met her in a club down in old Soho
Where you drink champagne
It tastes just like Coca Cola, C-O-L-A cola'

The BBC refused to play it because of their policy on 'product placement' necessitating a 6000 mile trip, during an American tour, so that Ray Davies could change the words to 'Cherry Cola'.

Answer: Village Green

Whilst this album did not chart in the US or the UK it was listed at number 255 in 'Rolling Stones' list of '500 Greatest Albums of All Time' in 2003.

Answer: Bob Hope and Bing Crosby

According to the song lyrics:
'Greta Garbo - Turned her back on stardom because she wanted to be alone'.
'Rudolph Valentino - Looks very much alive'.
'Bela Lugosi - Don't step on him cos he's liable to turn and bite'.
'Bette Davis - Stand close to her, she led such a lonely life'.
'Mickey Rooney - If you stamp on him he'll turn round and smile'.
'Marilyn Monroe - Don't tread on her she's not very tough'.

The one star I haven't mentioned who appears in the song is:
'George Sanders - If you covered him with garbage he would still have style'.

The song is about the trials and tribulations of becoming a movie star:
"People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame,
Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain."

Answer: Fashion

Released in 1966 'Dedicated Follower of Fashion' Reached number 5 in the UK charts, as with most of The Kinks recordings it didn't do so well in the US only reaching number 36.

The song takes a satirical look at the British fashion scene in the mid 1960s and the people who followed it (Mainly the Mods).

*Useless information* The lyrics of 'Dedicated Follower of Fashion' won an Ivor Novella award for songwriting for Ray Davies in 1966.