The Kinks, a band synonymous with the rebellious spirit of the 1960s, had a notoriously tempestuous existence, often teetering on the brink of self-destruction. While their music soared, their internal dynamics, particularly the volatile sibling rivalry between Ray and Dave Davies, were a constant source of friction. Personally, I find it astonishing that any band, let alone one experiencing significant success, could endure such persistent discord for so long. The sheer willpower required to keep creating music amidst such personal animosity is, in my opinion, a testament to their shared artistic drive, even if it was often overshadowed by their personal battles.
A Cymbal of Discord
What makes the Kinks' story particularly fascinating is how their internal struggles occasionally spilled out in the most dramatic fashion. While brotherly spats were common, a specific incident in 1965 in Cardiff stands out as a moment that could have irrevocably ended the band. Fresh off the success of hits like ‘Set Me Free,’ the band was on a grueling tour, a recipe for heightened tensions. While Ray and Dave Davies managed to keep their feud somewhat in check for that particular performance, the animosity between guitarist Dave Davies and drummer Mick Avory reached a terrifying crescendo.
From my perspective, the lead-up to the Cardiff gig paints a vivid picture of the pressure cooker environment bands often find themselves in. The source material suggests that the night before, a physical altercation occurred, leaving Dave Davies on the losing end. This, however, did not deter him from seeking a rather extreme form of retribution during their performance. What many people don't realize is the sheer audacity of his plan: to dismantle his bandmate's drum kit mid-song. This act of defiance, born from a night of simmering resentment, predictably provoked a violent reaction from Avory.
An Accidental (?) Near-Tragedy
In a moment that sounds more like a scene from a gritty drama than a rock concert, Avory, in a fit of rage, reportedly wielded a cymbal, striking Dave Davies and causing a severe laceration to his throat. The immediate aftermath was chaos. Dave required a significant number of stitches, and a panicked Avory fled the scene. Ray Davies himself later recounted how the police considered charging Mick Avory with attempted murder. This detail, in my opinion, underscores the sheer gravity of the situation; it wasn't just a scuffle, it was a life-threatening incident that could have landed one band member in jail and effectively dissolved the group.
What this incident really suggests is the fine line between passion and destruction in the creative process. The Kinks were brilliant because of their raw energy and sometimes abrasive honesty, but this also meant their personal lives were often as chaotic as their music. If you take a step back and think about it, the fact that this near-fatal event didn't spell the end for The Kinks is quite remarkable. It highlights a resilience, or perhaps a stubbornness, that allowed them to absorb even such extreme episodes and continue.
The End That Wasn't
Remarkably, Dave Davies survived, and Avory was not charged. The two men, despite this violent episode, continued to be integral parts of The Kinks for nearly two decades. This is a detail that I find especially interesting – the capacity for individuals to coexist and create together after such profound conflict. It raises a deeper question about forgiveness, professional necessity, and the unique bonds that can form within a band, even when fraught with tension. Ray Davies’ reflection that the two-song concert in Cardiff "could have been the end" is a stark reminder of how close The Kinks, and indeed many bands, come to imploding under the weight of their own internal dramas.
Ultimately, the story of The Kinks is a powerful narrative about the often-messy intersection of art and life. Their ability to produce enduring music while navigating such turbulent waters is a phenomenon that continues to captivate me. It’s a potent reminder that the most compelling art often emerges from the most complex and, at times, dangerous human experiences.
