Mick Avory Of The Kinks: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview

Feature Photo: courtesy of Big Hassle PR/The Kinks.

Though Ray and Dave Davies get the majority of the praise when it comes to The Kinks, the legendary band wouldn’t have been the same without the capable, reliable, and, dare we say, influential drumming of Mick Avory.

Avory was a member of The Kinks from 1964 through 1984, aka the band’s most prolific, creative, and commercially viable era. Avory’s drumming can be heard on iconic songs like “You Really Got Me,” “Waterloo Sunset,” “Lola,” “Destroyer,” “Come Dancing,” and many more.

Quite simply, the driving sound of The Kinks, while very much defined by Dave Davies’s distorted garage guitar, and Ray’s unique vocal delivery, and hyper-perfect lyrics, was very much hinged on Avory’s drumming.

When asked about his impact on The Kinks’ sound, Avory tells ClassicRockHistory.com: “In the early days, I played with local bands playing the blues, skiffle, and the alternative music of the day.”

“I also had drum lessons with Chris Hewitt,” he recalls. “He was a jazz fan who gave me an insight into jazz, allowing me to understand the broad process of all forms of music.”

With that, one can see how Avory spun his blues-meets-jazz leanings into a unique sound that was truly singular to The Kinks. “This was very important at the time,” Avory says. “All the bands of the day were using the American influences.”

“The other thing to remember,” he reminds. “Is that this was all being done for the first time, rules did not exist, so we all learnt together.”

In support of The Kinks latest release, The Journey Part III, Kinks drummer Mick Avory beamed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to give insight into the band’s biggest hits, his contributions to the music, if he still speaks with Ray and Dave Davies, if The Kinks have more music in the vaults, and what’s next as he moves ahead.

What are your memories of recording “You Really Got Me?”

This is a subject that has been covered so many times before! There is little more to add other than I played a tambourine. [Laughs] Shel Talmy had already booked Bobby Graham, who’d recorded with Ray, Dave, and Pete before.

You had an opportunity to join The Rolling Stones and even played two pub gigs with them. What’s the story there?

This was in 1962. I was not a professional musician at that point. I didn’t actually play any shows with them, but we met a few times. At that point, I was still undecided about being a pro, so I said I was not up for joining. They made the right choice as Charlie [Watts] was perfect for the job.

What can you recall about recording “Waterloo Sunset?”

We rehearsed the song at Ray and Dave’s house, and then we went into the studio, which was IBC. I think. I seem to recall it all [being] straightforward and went quite easily.

What’s the story behind “Destroyer” and “Come Dancing?”

With the new Arista [Records] deal, Clive Davis had a vision to make The Kinks much bigger in the US than they had been. That influence and enthusiasm gave Ray the motive to tweak his writing process. The basics are always the same.

What led to your leaving The Kinks in the 80s, and do you have regrets about that?

After 20 years of living in each other’s pockets, there are many frustrations. It just felt for me it was time to change.

Ray was sad about you leaving, right? And Dave and you eventually made up, and he asked you to re-join, right?

Dave didn’t ask. It was Ray via a comment from Jake Riviera, but the time just wasn’t right; only a year had gone by.

How do you compare The Kinks’ later era to its earlier era? Was the magic still there, and did the band leave anything on the table by not sticking together?

The Kinks were at the top of the game in the ‘60s, and the songs reflected the world around us. As life evolves, success comes along, the position changes, and music changes. Ray followed what meant more to him, so he was reflecting on life as he saw it.

How do you measure your legacy with The Kinks, and do you still have contact with Ray and Dave?

I see Ray regularly and Dave when he’s in the UK, though he lives in the USA. Plus, we get together for album launches, awards shows, and other events.

Do you have any regrets, or do you wish you could redo any of your albums?

I think that what we did at the time was right. You always feel, on reflection, that maybe this or that could be different. Overall, I have no regrets about the albums we made.

Is there anything left in The Kinks’ vault? What’s next for you in all lanes?

Ask Ray! I’m quite happy playing with the Kast Off Kinks and the ‘60s Allstars. At 81, I’m just happy to still be playing.