Ray Davies, one of the most successful and influential songwriters to emerge from the British music scene of the 1960s, founded the rock band The Kinks| with his brother Dave in London in 1963 and shortly after began a relationship with the Kassner group that continues to this day. The band’s string of top ten international hits began with You Really Got Me YOU REALLY GOT ME by RAYMOND DAVIES| followed by All ALL DAY AND ALL OF THE NIGHT by RAYMOND DAVIES|Day and All of The Night ALL DAY AND ALL OF THE NIGHT by RAYMOND DAVIES|, Tired of Waiting For You TIRED OF WAITING FOR YOU by RAYMOND DAVIES|, Set Me Free SET ME FREE by RAYMOND DAVIES|, See My Friends SEE MY FRIENDS by RAYMOND DAVIES| and A Well Respected Man A WELL RESPECTED MAN by RAYMOND DAVIES| among many others.

"Almost indisputably rock's most literate, witty and insightful songwriter"

Following the initial British Invasion, the appeal of The Kinks spread state-side and they became a major act globally over the next two decades. The Kinks were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 at which Ray was described as “almost indisputably rock's most literate, witty and insightful songwriter” and the groundbreaking quality of You Really Got Me YOU REALLY GOT ME by RAYMOND DAVIES| was recognised as the "forerunner of heavy metal". The BMI has certified that in the US You Really Got Me YOU REALLY GOT ME by RAYMOND DAVIES| has been performed over 5 million times, All Day and All of the Night ALL DAY AND ALL OF THE NIGHT by RAYMOND DAVIES| in excess of 2 million times and Tired of Waiting TIRED OF WAITING FOR YOU by RAYMOND DAVIES| more than 1 million times.

Ray Davies CBE

A string of awards have been conferred on Ray by numerous sources in the past decade, each honouring his unique talents of musical composition. Mojo bestowed its prestigious Songwriter Award on him, BMI identified him as a BMI Icon and, perhaps most significantly, for his lifetime contribution to the art of songwriting he was awarded the CBE by Queen Elizabeth II at the beginning of 2004.

The “Godfather of Brit Pop”

Affectionately referred to as the “Godfather of Brit Pop”, Ray Davies is cited as a major influence on artists such as Pete Townshend, Paul Weller, Morrissey, Damon Albarn and many more. It is a testament to the enduring appeal of Ray’s music that his songs have frequently been covered and yielded hits for performers including Van Halen, The Pretenders and The Stranglers.