View source for Dave Davies

{{Short description|English guitarist (born 1947)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{About|the English musician|more people of the same name|David Davies (disambiguation){{!}}David Davies}}
{{Expand lead|date=May 2022}}{{Infobox musical artist
| name            = Dave Davies
| image           = Dave Davies Dakota Creek Roadhouse 2002 crop.jpg
| caption         = Davies in 2002
| birth_name      = David Russell Gordon Davies
| birth_date      = {{birth date and age|1947|02|3|df=y}}
| birth_place     = [[Fortis Green]], London, England
| origin          = [[Muswell Hill]], London, England
| genre           = {{hlist|Rock|pop|[[hard rock]]}}
| occupation      = {{hlist|Guitarist|singer|songwriter}}
| instrument      = {{hlist|Guitar|vocals}}
| years_active    = 1963–present
| label           = {{hlist|[[Angel Air Records|Angel Air]]|[[E1 Music|Koch]]}}
| website         = {{URL|davedavies.com}}
}}

'''David Russell Gordon Davies''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|d|eɪ|v|iː|z}} ''{{Respell|DAY|veez}}'';<ref>{{Cite tweet |last=Davies |first=Dave |user=davedavieskinks |number=1456996378329104391 |date=6 November 2021 |title=My last name is pronounced Davies sounds like DAVEES |access-date=4 October 2024}}</ref>{{efn|Dave's brother [[Ray Davies|Ray]] pronounces the surname differently: {{IPAc-en|ˈ|d|eɪ|v|ɪ|z}} ''{{respell|DAY|viz}}''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ray Davies |url=http://www.wnyc.org/shows/lopate/episodes/2009/11/09/segments/144019 |work=The Leonard Lopate Show |date=9 November 2009 |access-date=23 December 2009|time=1:32–1:40}} "[Davies:] Think of it as 'viz', v-i-z".</ref>}} born 3 February 1947) is an English guitarist, singer and songwriter. He was the lead guitarist and backing vocalist for the English rock band [[the Kinks]], led by his elder brother (and principal writer and singer)  [[Ray Davies|Ray]], and the two of them were the only consistent members during their existence. Davies also sometimes undertook writing and/or lead vocals duties within the band, for example on the songs "[[Death of a Clown]]", "[[Party Line (The Kinks song)|Party Line]]", "[[Strangers (The Kinks song)|Strangers]]" and "[[Rats (The Kinks song)|Rats]]". He has also embarked on a solo career, releasing several singles during the late 1960s and has since released eight solo albums.

Davies is known for innovative electric guitar technique, specifically in being one of the first to use electric guitar distortion and exposing the effect to the mainstream. His signature distorted [[power chord]] riffs on songs would heavily influence future heavy metal and punk rock acts. He was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 1990 as a member of the Kinks and, in 2003, was ranked 91st in ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'}}s list of the "[[Rolling Stone's 100 greatest guitarists of all time|100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time]]".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5937559/the_100_greatest_guitarists_of_all_time/42 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725053034/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5937559/the_100_greatest_guitarists_of_all_time/42 |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 July 2009 |title=News |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=10 December 2016 |access-date=31 March 2017}}</ref>

==Early life==
[[File:Kinks Denmark Terrace Davies.jpg|thumb|6 Denmark Terrace, birthplace of Dave Davies]]
David Russell Gordon Davies was born at 6 Denmark Terrace, [[Muswell Hill]], [[North London]]. He was born the last of eight children, including six older sisters and an elder brother, later bandmate [[Ray Davies|Ray]]. As children, the Davies brothers were immersed in a world of different musical styles, from the [[music hall]] of their parents' generation, to the [[jazz]] and early [[rock n' roll]] that their older sisters listened to. The siblings developed a rivalry early on, with both brothers competing for their parents' and sisters' attention.<ref name="Kink">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sekDAAAACAAJ|title=Kink: An Autobiography|first=Dave|last=Davies|date=16 February 1998|publisher=Hyperion|isbn=9780786882694}}</ref><ref name="X-Ray">''X-Ray, The Unauthorized Autobiography'', Ray Davies. {{ISBN|1-58567-939-9}}, {{ISBN|978-1-58567-939-3}}.</ref>

Davies grew up playing [[skiffle]], but soon bought an electric guitar and started experimenting with rock.<ref name="Kink" /> The Davies brothers and friend [[Pete Quaife]] jammed together in the front room of their house. Activities in the Davies household centred around this front room, culminating in large parties, where the parents would sing and play piano together. The front room and these parties were musically nurturing to the Davies brothers, later influencing the Kinks' interpretations of the traditional British music hall style. Dave and his brother worked out the famous two-chord riff of their 1964 hit "[[You Really Got Me]]" on the piano in the front room.<ref name="Kink"/><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BSlGgpgw4N0C |title=The Complete Guide to the Music of the Kinks |first=Johnny |last=Rogan |year=1998 |publisher=Omnibus Press |isbn=9780711963146 }}</ref>

==Career==
{{See also|The Kinks}}
Davies founded the Kinks with Pete Quaife in 1963. His brother Ray, who became the best-known member and ''de facto'' leader of the band, joined soon after.<ref name="X-Ray"/> The quartet was formed when drummer [[Mick Avory]] joined. Dave Davies had a turbulent relationship with Avory, one of the reasons behind the latter's departure from the band in the mid-1980s, although the two had been housemates together in the mid-1960s.<ref name="Mick Avory Interview">{{cite web|url=http://kastoffkinks.co.uk/Mick%20Avory%20interview%20part%201.htm |title=Interview with Mick Avory |publisher=Kastoffkinks.co.uk |date=15 February 1944 |access-date=3 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014005105/http://kastoffkinks.co.uk/Mick%20Avory%20interview%20part%201.htm|archive-date=14 October 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

Ray and Dave Davies remained the only two steady members of the band.<ref name="Allmusic Bio">{{cite web |author=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-kinks-mn0000100160/biography |title=The Kinks &#124; Biography & History |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=31 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218144916/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-kinks-mn0000100160/biography|archive-date=18 February 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> They were accompanied by an oft-changing roster of bassists and keyboardists. Dave played a largely subordinate role to his brother, often staying behind the scenes. Dave would make occasional contributions on Kinks records as lead vocalist and songwriter, with classics such as "Party Line" (the lyrics were written by Ray and the song has been attributed to Ray on many editions of "Face to Face"), "[[Death of a Clown]]"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kindakinks.net/discography/showsong.php?song=73 |title=Lyrics and Songwriting credits for 'Death of a Clown' |publisher=Kindakinks.net |access-date=3 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812145929/https://kindakinks.net/discography/showsong.php?song=73|archive-date=12 August 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> and "[[Strangers (The Kinks song)|Strangers]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kindakinks.net/discography/showsong.php?song=376 |title=Lyrics and Songwriting credits for "Strangers" |publisher=Kindakinks.net |access-date=3 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521030021/https://kindakinks.net/discography/showsong.php?song=376|archive-date=21 May 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Early years (1963–1966)===
The Kinks were signed to Pye Records in late 1963, and Dave Davies turned 17 three days before the first Kinks single (a version of "[[Long Tall Sally]]") was issued in early 1964.  Davies was solely responsible for the signature distorted [[power chord]] sound on the Kinks' first hit, "[[You Really Got Me]]".<ref name="Kink"/> He achieved the sound by using a razor blade to slit the speaker cone on his Elpico amplifier, which he then ran through a larger [[Vox (musical equipment)|Vox]] as a "pre-amp".<ref name="Dave Davies Amp Profile">{{cite web |url=http://www.davedavies.com/guitars/guitars2.htm#guitar17 |title=Profile of The Elpico Amp, By Dave Davies himself |publisher=Davedavies.com |access-date=3 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425162920/http://www.davedavies.com/guitars/guitars2.htm#guitar17 |archive-date=25 April 2016}}</ref><ref name="Kinks Alive">{{cite web|url=http://kindakinks.net/misc/articles/ddupi.html |title=Article on Davies, "Kinks Alive", By John Swenson, 1997, United Press International |publisher=Kindakinks.net |access-date=3 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816201144/https://kindakinks.net/misc/articles/ddupi.html|archive-date=16 August 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> This sound was one of the first mainstream appearances of distortion, which was to have a major influence on many later musicians,<ref name="Allmusic Bio"/> especially in [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] and [[punk rock]].

"You Really Got Me" was the band's third released single, the two previous recordings having failed to chart. They had a three-single contract with Pye Records, and needed a hit to get another. Pye didn't like the song and refused to pay for studio time.<ref>Storyteller, Koch Records 2006</ref> The band arranged other financial support to cut the single, which became a hit, topping the charts in the UK and reaching number 7 in the US.<ref name="Charts">{{cite web|url=http://www.kindakinks.net/charts.html |title=Chart positions |publisher=Kindakinks.net |access-date=3 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211180131/https://kindakinks.net/charts.html|archive-date=11 February 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Kinks released three albums and several [[Extended play|EP]]s in the next two years. They also performed and toured relentlessly, headlining package tours with the likes of [[The Yardbirds]] and [[The Mickey Finn]], which caused tension within the band.<ref name="Allmusic Bio"/> Some legendary on-stage fights erupted during this time as well. The most notorious incident was at the Capitol Theatre in [[Cardiff]] in May 1965, involving drummer Mick Avory and Dave Davies. The fight broke out during the second number of the set, "Beautiful Delilah". It culminated with Davies insulting Avory and kicking over his drum set after finishing the first song, "You Really Got Me". Avory responded by knocking down Davies with his hi-hat stand, rendering him unconscious. He then fled from the scene and Davies was taken to [[Cardiff Royal Infirmary]], where he received 16 stitches to the head.<ref name="All Day">The Kinks: All Day and All of the Night, Day-By-Day Concerts, Recordings, etc., by Doug Hinman</ref> Avory later claimed that it was part of a new act in which the band members would hurl their instruments at each other.

During the late 1960s the group steadily evolved, as Ray's songwriting skills developed and he began to lead the group in a new direction.<ref name="Allmusic Bio"/> The group abandoned the traditional R&B/blues sound and adopted a more nostalgic, reflective style of music, as showcased on songs like "[[Autumn Almanac]]" and "[[Waterloo Sunset]]", as well as their albums, such as ''[[Something Else by the Kinks]]'' and ''[[The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society]]''.

===Late 1960s and solo career===
{{Main|A Hole in the Sock of (Dave Davies)}}

[[File:Fanclub1967TheKinks3.jpg|thumb|Dave Davies & Mick Avory (Dutch TV, 1967)]]
In July 1967, Dave Davies released his first solo single, "[[Death of a Clown]]", credited entirely under his name as the recording artist, though it was co-written by his brother. Previously, as a member of the Kinks, Dave Davies had only released his own compositions on [[B-sides]] and albums. [[Pye Records]], the Kinks' label, sensed potential sales in a solo release from the overlooked Davies and issued "Death of a Clown" as his debut.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} Although the single was credited to Davies, the backing band was the Kinks, and the track also appeared on ''[[Something Else by the Kinks]]''.

"Death of a Clown" rose to number three on the [[UK Singles Chart]]. Wanting to profit from the new buzz suddenly surrounding Davies, a solo LP was slated for release sometime in 1968 or 1969.<ref name="Kindakinks">{{cite web|url=http://www.kindakinks.net/discography/showrelease.php?release=376 |title=liner notes for T.A.T.N.W |publisher=Kindakinks.net |date=19 October 1987 |access-date=3 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812145021/https://kindakinks.net/discography/showrelease.php?release=376|archive-date=12 August 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> The follow-up single, "[[Susannah's Still Alive]]", was released in November 1967;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kindakinks.net/discography/showsong.php?song=383 |title=Lyrics for "Susannah's Still Alive" |publisher=Kindakinks.net |access-date=3 March 2012}}</ref> however, it only reached number 20 on the ''[[Melody Maker]]'' chart.<ref name="Charts"/> The release of the solo album was held back, and it was decided to wait and see how another single would fare. As anticipation grew for the release of the new LP, it was nicknamed ''A Hole in the Sock Of''.<ref name="Kindakinks"/> "Lincoln County" was chosen as the next single, but it failed to chart. By the time a fourth single, "Hold My Hand", met with the same result, a combination of his own lack of interest in continuing and Pye's decision to stop killed off any hopes of an album.<ref name="Kink"/>

Eventually, the tracks intended for his first solo album were assembled for a 2011 compilation by Russell Smith & Andrew Sandoval entitled ''Hidden Treasures''. It combined the singles, B-sides that were released for various Kinks singles and a handful of album tracks that Davies had recorded for Kinks albums. Many of these tracks had been assembled previously for ''The Album That Never Was'', released in 1987.

''[[The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society]]'' and ''[[Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)|Arthur]]'' were released in 1968 and 1969, respectively.<ref name="All Day"/> Although they received unanimous acclaim, ''Village Green'' failed to chart internationally, and ''Arthur'' was met with a mediocre commercial reception. These records, although praised by critics and the rock press,<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thekinks/albums/album/90937/review/6067569/village_green_preservation_society|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001182354/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thekinks/albums/album/90937/review/6067569/village_green_preservation_society|title=Rolling Stone Review (Period)|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 October 2009}}</ref> were commercial failures.

==="Lola", ''Muswell Hillbillies'', and theatrical incarnation===
[[File:Dave Davies 1971.jpg|thumb|upright|Promotional photo of Davies in 1971]]
After ''Arthur'', the Kinks made a comeback with their hit single "[[Lola (song)|Lola]]" and the accompanying [[concept album]] ''[[Lola versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One]]'' in 1970. Dave recorded two songs of his own for this LP, the acoustic "[[Strangers (The Kinks song)|Strangers]]" and the hard-rocking "[[Rats (Dave Davies song)|Rats]]". The rootsy ''[[Muswell Hillbillies]]'', themed on country-rock and Americana, was released in late 1971 and was well-received with critics, but failed to sell strongly. The band's next five albums, ''[[Everybody's in Show-Biz]]'', ''[[Preservation: Act 1]]'', ''[[Preservation: Act 2]]'', ''[[The Kinks Present A Soap Opera]]'' and ''[[Schoolboys in Disgrace]]'', which added a large theatrical ensemble, were critical and commercial failures.

The Kinks left [[RCA Records]] in 1977, switching to [[Arista Records|Arista]].<ref name="Allmusic Bio"/> The group shed all of the extra backing vocalists and [[brass]] instrumentalists that had accompanied them throughout their theatrical years, and reverted to a five-piece rock group again. Their debut LP for Arista was entitled ''[[Sleepwalker (The Kinks album)|Sleepwalker]]'', and was a commercial and critical comeback for the group. It was the first album in what critics usually call the "arena rock" phase of the group, in which more commercial and mainstream production techniques would be employed.<ref name="Allmusic Bio"/> Dave later commented that he was glad to be back to more guitar-oriented songs, and he has listed ''Sleepwalker'' as one of his favourites.<ref name="D Davies Interview">"This Man He Laughs Tonight", interview with Dave Davies by Dave Schulps, ''Trouser Press'', August 1980</ref>

===1980s and onward===
[[File:Dave Davies of The Kinks in 1979.jpg|thumb|220px|right|Davies performing in 1979]]
Davies saw the band through both success and failure, as they reached their commercial peak in the early 1980s. The group began adjusting their commercial methods, embracing the [[MTV]] culture that was selling records at the time. The music video for their 1982/83 single "[[Come Dancing (song)|Come Dancing]]" helped hoist the record to number 12 on the UK chart, and number 6 in the US – their biggest hit since "[[Tired of Waiting for You]]" in 1965.<ref name="Charts"/>

The Kinks' popularity faltered in 1985, and soon their records ceased to chart altogether. Mick Avory left the band after the Kinks' last album for Arista, ''[[Word of Mouth (The Kinks album)|Word of Mouth]]'', mainly due to the growing animosity between him and Dave Davies.<ref name="Mick Avory Interview"/> [[Bob Henrit]] was brought in to take Avory's place. At the invitation of Ray Davies, Avory agreed to manage Konk Studios, where he also served as a producer and occasional contributor on later Kinks albums.

The group switched to MCA (US) and London (UK) records in late 1985, and began work on their next album, ''[[Think Visual]]''. The record was released in 1986, but only reached number 81 on the ''[[Billboard magazine|Billboard]]'' charts. Critics were lukewarm towards it, and it did not receive significant radio play. [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] of Allmusic.com later commented that the album "represented an artistic dead end for the Kinks, as Ray Davies continued to crank out a series of competent, but undistinguished hard rockers." Dave Davies contributed two songs to ''Think Visual'', "Rock 'n' Roll Cities" and "When You were a Child".

The group recorded several more records for MCA, their last studio effort for them being 1989's ''[[UK Jive]]''. It was received slightly better than ''Think Visual'', but it failed to enter into the Top 100. Dave Davies contributed the song "Dear Margaret" to the vinyl record – the cassette and CD of the album also contained two further Dave Davies songs, "Bright Lights" and "Perfect Strangers".

The group left MCA and struggled to find a record label that would accept them. All four original members were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, but this failed to revive their career. Eventually the Kinks signed to Columbia Records, who released their final studio album together, ''[[Phobia (The Kinks album)|Phobia]]'', on 13 April 1993. Despite publicity and press attention, the record was unsuccessful, peaking at number 166. Singles released failed to chart as well. To ''Phobia'' Davies contributed the songs "It's Alright (Don't Think About It)" and "Close to the Wire".

Columbia dropped the group in 1994, forcing them to retreat to their old [[Konk Records]]. The group released ''To The Bone'' on the small independent Grapevine Records in 1994.

The Kinks took a break from recording and touring in 1996. Ray and Dave reunited onstage to perform "You Really Got Me" at the Islington Assembly Hall in London on 18 December 2015. ''Rolling Stone'' magazine called their performance "rousing".<ref>{{cite magazine|title = Watch the Kinks' Ray and Dave Davies Reunite Onstage for 'You Really Got Me'|url = https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-the-kinks-ray-and-dave-davies-reunite-onstage-for-you-really-got-me-36206/|magazine = Rolling Stone|date = 19 December 2015|access-date = 10 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104123838/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-the-kinks-ray-and-dave-davies-reunite-onstage-for-you-really-got-me-36206/|archive-date=4 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Solo work, 1980s–present day====
After the aborted solo effort, Davies' solo career was not revived until 1980, with the release of ''Dave Davies ([[AFL1-3603]])'', which featured Davies performing all the instruments himself. The album, named after its own catalog number, peaked at number 42 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]. He went on to release ''Glamour'' (1981), which charted at number 152. Davies brought in a back-up band to play with him on this record. ''Chosen People'' was released in 1983, but failed to crack the Billboard 200.

Davies released his first true solo studio album in twenty years, ''[[Bug (Dave Davies album)|Bug]]'', in 2002. ''Fractured Mindz'' followed in January 2007. It was also his first new studio effort since his stroke in the summer of 2004 besides the track "God in my Brain" (which was recorded and released on the compilation album ''Kinked'' in January 2006).<ref name="davedavieshome">{{cite web |url=http://www.davedavies.com/new.htm |title=What's New |publisher=Dave Davies |access-date=16 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517152335/http://www.davedavies.com/new.htm |archive-date=17 May 2014}}</ref>

''Two Worlds'' was recorded throughout 2010 by The Aschere Project, the production team of Dave Davies and his son Russ.<ref name="dsddavies"/> Both members wrote, produced, and recorded all the tracks.<ref name="ddminiatures">{{cite news
 |title=Dave Davies – The Kinks
 |url=http://www.rockguitarminiatures.com/?page_id=336
 |publisher=Rock Guitar Miniatures
 |access-date=15 May 2014
|url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517120514/http://www.rockguitarminiatures.com/?page_id=336
 |archive-date=17 May 2014
}}</ref> About the album's genre, Dave stated "it's a mixture of rock, kinda classical and electronic music."<ref name="dddrowned">{{cite news
 |title        = Those Sacred Days: DiS meets the Kinks' Dave Davies
 |first        = David
 |last         = Edwards
 |url          = http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4142345-those-sacred-days--dis-meets-the-kinks-dave-davies
 |newspaper    = [[Drowned in Sound]]
 |date         = 1 April 2011
|access-date  = 15 May 2014
|archive-date = 10 February 2021
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20210210222439/https://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4142345-those-sacred-days--dis-meets-the-kinks-dave-davies
 |url-status   = dead
}}</ref> In February 2010, Davies released an autobiographical DVD filmed by his other son, titled ''Mystical Journey''. His planned US tour in support of the release was postponed per doctor's advice.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.davedavies.com/new.htm |title=What's New |publisher=Dave Davies |access-date=31 March 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322031217/http://www.davedavies.com/new.htm |archive-date=22 March 2017}}</ref> It was announced in February 2013 that on 4 June 2013, Davies would be releasing his sixth studio album entitled ''I Will Be Me'' worldwide. Davies undertook a short tour of the US to promote the album.<ref name="davedavieshome"/> Davies performed his first UK show in thirteen years in February 2014.<ref name="dsddavies">{{cite web
| title       = The Kinks' Dave Davies for first UK show in 13 years
| first       = Stephanie
| last        = Soteriou
| url         = http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a554401/the-kinks-dave-davies-for-first-uk-show-in-13-years.html
| website   = [[Digital Spy]]
| date        = 27 February 2014
| access-date  = 15 May 2014
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211106165549/https://www.digitalspy.com/music/a554401/the-kinks-dave-davies-for-first-uk-show-in-13-years/
| archive-date= 6 November 2021
| url-status= live
}}</ref> In October 2014, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Kinks, a new album by Davies, with many tracks looking back to the start of the band, titled ''Rippin' Up Time'' was released. Davies appeared on ''[[The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon]]'' to promote the album in 2014. This episode was the highest rated ''Tonight Show'' episode in 2014.

In 2015, the Dave Davies solo album ''Rippin Up New York City'' was released on Red River Entertainment. He embarked on a solo tour to promote the album in the US in October and November. On 18 December, at his concert at the Islington Assembly Hall in London, he was joined onstage by Ray to perform the Kinks' hit "You Really Got Me" together. This marked the first time in nearly 20 years that the brothers had appeared and performed together.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.guitarworld.com/kinks-ray-and-dave-davies-reunite-after-20-years-play-you-really-got-me-video/26029 |title=The Kinks' Ray and Dave Davies Reunite After 20 Years to Play "You Really Got Me"|access-date=4 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904013739/http://www.guitarworld.com/kinks-ray-and-dave-davies-reunite-after-20-years-play-you-really-got-me-video/26029|archive-date=4 September 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Signature instruments==
[[File:Gibson Flying V White.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6|A Gibson Flying V]]

Davies has played a number of guitars over time, the most recognizable of which is his [[Gibson Flying V]]. Davies bought it in 1965,<ref name="Guitars and Green Amp">{{cite web |url=http://www.davedavies.com/guitars/guitars2.htm |title=Dave's Guitars & The Green Amp! |publisher=Davedavies.com |access-date=3 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425162920/http://www.davedavies.com/guitars/guitars2.htm |archive-date=25 April 2016}}</ref> and soon began appearing live and on TV performances with it. Davies was one of the few guitarists who played Flying Vs at the time. It was, in that period, out of issue due to lack of interest upon its 1958 test release, and models were numbered. Guitarists such as [[Lonnie Mack]], [[Jimi Hendrix]], [[Albert King]] and Davies himself helped stir interest in the instrument, and it would eventually become one of the signature guitars of the [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] era.<ref name="Flying V">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SDHhzvmH_wwC&pg=PP1 |title=Gibson Flying V |author1=Zachary R. Fjestad |author2=Larry Meiners |year=2007 |publisher=Alfred Music |isbn=978-1-886768-72-7}}</ref>

Davies commented on his Flying V:

{{quote|I used to play a [[Guild Guitar Company|Guild]] custom built guitar and the airline lost it on our first American tour in '64 or '65. ... I had to get a replacement quick. I went into a store and they didn't have anything I liked. I saw this dusty old guitar case and I said "What have you got in there?" he said "Oh, that's just some silly old guitar." He got it out and I bought it for about $60.<ref name="Guitars and Green Amp" />}}

Davies has played many other guitars throughout his career. He has played several models of Gibson Les Pauls over time, including a "Goldtop" model with P90 pickups and a black '78 model. On his website he lists the following:
* [[Gibson Les Paul]] – Standard, Custom, Deluxe, Artisan and Goldtop models
* [[Fender Telecaster|Fender Elite Telecaster]]
* [[Fender Telecaster|Fender American Standard Telecaster]]
* '63 [[Fender Telecaster]] sunburst (owned by Ray, used as Dave's main guitar between 1967 and 1969)
* '54 [[Fender Stratocaster]]
* [[Gibson Flying V]]
* Gibson L5-S
* Gibson L6-S
* Guild F-512 NT 12-string acoustic
* Harmony Meteor<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.davedavies.com/guitars/guitars2.htm#guitar17 |title=Dave's Guitars & The Green Amp! |publisher=Davedavies.com |access-date=3 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425162920/http://www.davedavies.com/guitars/guitars2.htm#guitar17 |archive-date=25 April 2016}}</ref>

==Personal life and health==
Davies was expelled from school at the age of 15 after being caught having sex with his girlfriend, Sue Sheehan,<ref name="Kitts">{{cite book | title=Ray Davies: Not Like Everybody Else | url=https://archive.org/details/raydaviesnotlike0000kitt | url-access=registration | publisher=Routledge | author=Thomas M. Kitts | year=2008 | location=New York/Abingdon | page=[https://archive.org/details/raydaviesnotlike0000kitt/page/4 4]}}</ref> on [[Hampstead Heath]].  Shortly thereafter, they were forced to separate by their respective families after Sheehan found out she was pregnant. Their relationship had a profound impact on Davies, who wrote a number of songs about their separation including "Funny Face", "Susannah's Still Alive", and "Mindless Child of Motherhood". In 1967, Davies married Lisbet (a cousin of Pete Quaife's first wife, Annette) and they divorced in 1990. From that marriage, Davies has four sons: Martin, Simon, Christian, and Russell. His three children [[Daniel Davies (musician)|Daniel]], Lana, and Eddie are from a relationship with Nancy Evans. Davies briefly reunited with Sue Sheehan in the late 1990s.

Davies published an autobiography, entitled ''Kink'' in 1996, in which he discussed his [[bisexuality]] and brief relationships with [[Long John Baldry]] and music producer [[Michael Aldred]] in the late 1960s. He also wrote of the tense professional relationship with his brother over the Kinks' career.

Davies has been vegetarian since the late 1960s,<ref>{{Cite tweet |author=Dave Davies |user=davedavieskinks |number=1292471520913170433 |date=9 August 2020 |title=I don't want to be rude but i don't want to talk about meat I've been vegetarian since my early 20s |link=https://twitter.com/davedavieskinks/status/1292471520913170433|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110021447/https://twitter.com/davedavieskinks/status/1292471520913170433|archive-date=10 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> and has said that he does not think meat is good for the nervous system.

On 30 June 2004, Davies suffered a stroke while exiting a lift at [[Broadcasting House]], where he had been promoting his album, ''[[Bug (Dave Davies album)|Bug]]''. He was taken to [[University College Hospital]]. Davies was released from the hospital on 27 August. By 2006, Davies had recovered enough to be able to walk, talk and play the guitar.

In September 2013 ''Rolling Stone'' magazine wrote about Davies and his girlfriend Rebecca G. Wilson.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Greene |first=Andy |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dave-davies-odds-of-a-kinks-tour-in-2014-are-50-50-113870/ |title=Kinks May Tour, Says Dave Davies |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=25 September 2013 |access-date=31 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031143417/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dave-davies-odds-of-a-kinks-tour-in-2014-are-50-50-113870/|archive-date=31 October 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> She contributed backing vocals to the songs "Front Room" and "King of Karaoke". Since 2014, Wilson has gone on tour as Davies' backup singer.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/guestlisted/2015/10/last_best_show_dave_davies_at_the_wilbur |title=Last Best Show: Dave Davies at the Wilbur |newspaper=[[Boston Herald]] |date=9 October 2015 |access-date=31 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115022410/http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/guestlisted/2015/10/last_best_show_dave_davies_at_the_wilbur|archive-date=15 November 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

A second autobiography, ''Living on a Thin Line'' ({{ISBN|9781472289773}}), was released in July 2022. The book's name is taken from "[[Living on a Thin Line]]", a Kinks track released in 1984. Davies details in the book how in 1982, while on tour in the US, he started hearing voices. He says that those voices were alien in origin and the aliens, whom he named "the intelligences", controlled both his body and mind.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://bigworldtale.com/music/the-kinks-star-dave-davies-claims-alien-slapped-him-with-numbing-sex-ban/ |title=The Kinks star Dave Davies claims alien slapped him with 'numbing' sex ban|newspaper=Big World Tale|date=9 July 2022 |access-date=10 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003155808/https://bigworldtale.com/music/the-kinks-star-dave-davies-claims-alien-slapped-him-with-numbing-sex-ban/|archive-date=3 October 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/dave-davies-i-was-just-a-crazy-kid-with-a-guitar-a-cheap-amp-and-a-razor-blade-2250846.html |title=Dave Davies: 'I was just a crazy kid with a guitar, a cheap amp and a razor blade'|newspaper=[[The Independent]] |date=9 July 2022 |access-date=10 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710115248/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/dave-davies-i-was-just-a-crazy-kid-with-a-guitar-a-cheap-amp-and-a-razor-blade-2250846.html|archive-date=10 July 2022|url-status= live}}</ref> Davies also discussed his leaving of wives and children when relationships were outgrown.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/jun/27/living-on-a-thin-line-by-dave-davies-review-a-kink-in-his-armour |title=Living on a Thin Line by Dave Davies review – a Kink in his armour|newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=27 June 2022 |access-date=10 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219172051/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/jun/27/living-on-a-thin-line-by-dave-davies-review-a-kink-in-his-armour|archive-date=19 February 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{See also|The Kinks discography}}

===Studio albums===
* ''[[AFL1-3603]]'' (1980) US Billboard No. 42
* ''Glamour'' (1981) US Billboard No. 152
* ''Chosen People'' (1983) US Billboard No. 202
* ''[[Bug (Dave Davies album)|Bug]]'' (2002)
* ''Fractured Mindz'' (2007)
* ''[[I Will Be Me]]'' (2013)
* ''Rippin' Up Time'' (2014)
* ''Open Road'' (2017) <small>with Russ Davies</small>
'''Soundtrack album'''
* [[Village of the Damned (soundtrack)|''Village of the Damned'']] (1995) <small>with [[John Carpenter]]</small>

===Live albums===
* ''Rock Bottom - Live at [[The Bottom Line (venue)|The Bottom Line]]'' (2000)
* ''Transformation - Live at The Alex Theatre'' (2003)
* ''Rainy Day in June'' (2004)<ref>{{Citation |title=Dave Davies - Rainy Day In June |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/9255610-Dave-Davies-Rainy-Day-In-June |access-date=24 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
* ''Rippin' Up New York City - Live at the Winery NYC'' (2015)

'''Official bootlegs'''
* ''Solo Live - Live Solo Performance at [[Marian University (Wisconsin)|Marian College]]'' (2000)<ref>{{Citation |title=Dave Davies - Solo Live |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/6089402-Dave-Davies-Solo-Live |access-date=6 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
* ''Bugged... Live!'' (2002)<ref>{{Citation |title=Dave Davies - Bugged ... Live! |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/13009882-Dave-Davies-Bugged--Live |access-date=6 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
* ''Belly Up'' (2008) - recorded live at the Belly Up Club in San Diego on 29 April 1997, which was at the start of the first major solo tour of the U.S. by Davies<ref>{{Citation |title=Dave Davies - Belly Up! |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/9258699-Dave-Davies-Belly-Up |access-date=6 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
* ''Around the Galaxy'' (2009)<ref>{{Citation |title=Dave Davies - Around The Galaxy |date=26 February 2009 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/1730959-Dave-Davies-Around-The-Galaxy |access-date=24 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Compilation albums ===
* ''[[A Hole in the Sock of (Dave Davies)#The Album That Never Was|The Album That Never Was]]'' (1987) - singles recorded for his unreleased debut solo album
* ''Unfinished Business'' (1999)<ref>{{Citation |title=Dave Davies - Unfinished Business / Dave Davies Kronikles, 1963-1998 |year=1999 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/1169456-Dave-Davies-Unfinished-Business-Dave-Davies-Kronikles-1963-1998 |access-date=6 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
* ''Kinked'' (2006 release on [[Koch Records]])<ref>{{Citation |title=Dave Davies - Kinked |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/2606165-Dave-Davies-Kinked |access-date=6 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
* ''[[A Hole in the Sock of (Dave Davies)#Hidden Treasures|Hidden Treasures]]'' (2011) - released and unreleased tracks recorded for his unreleased debut solo album
* ''Decade'' (2018) - unreleased tracks from the 1970s

===Singles===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width:100px;" rowspan="2"| Release date
! style="width:240px;" rowspan="2"| Title
! colspan="8" | Chart positions
|-style="font-size:smaller;"
! style="width:3em;"|[[UK Singles Chart|UK]]<br /><ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book
| first= David
| last= Roberts
| year= 2006
| title= British Hit Singles & Albums
| edition= 19th
| publisher=Guinness World Records Limited
| location= London
| isbn= 1-904994-10-5
| page= 142}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/13049/dave-davies/ |title=Dave Davies |work=The Official Charts Company |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226014053/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/13049/dave-davies/ |archive-date=26 December 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>
! style="width:3em;"|[[Go-Set|AUS]]<br /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gosetcharts.com/1967/19670920.html|title=Go-Set Australian charts - 20 September 1967|website=Poparchives.com.au|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104121936/https://gosetcharts.com/1967/19670920.html|archive-date=4 January 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>
! style="width:3em;"|[[Ultratop|BEL]]<br /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/60a4/Dave-Davies-Death-Of-A-Clown |title=Dave Davies - Death Of A Clown |work=Ultratop |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019150857/https://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/60a4/Dave-Davies-Death-Of-A-Clown |archive-date=19 October 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>
! style="width:3em;"|[[GfK Entertainment charts|GER]]<br /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/suche?artist_search=Dave%20Davies&do_search=do |title=Dave Davies |work=Offizielle Deutsche Charts }}</ref>
! style="width:3em;"|[[Dutch Top 40|NLD]]<br /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.top40.nl/top40-artiesten/dave-davies |title=Dave Davies |work=Top 40 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817130146/https://www.top40.nl/top40-artiesten/dave-davies |archive-date=17 August 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>
! style="width:3em;"|NZ<br /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=search%20listener&qartistid=654#n_view_location |title=Dave Davies |work=Flavour of New Zealand |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420204215/http://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=search%20listener&qartistid=654#n_view_location |archive-date=20 April 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>
! style="width:3em;"|SWE
! style="width:3em;"|[[VG-lista|NOR]]<br /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://norwegiancharts.com/search.asp?cat=s&artist=dave+davies&artist_search=starts&title=&title_search=starts |title=Dave Davies |work=Norwegian Charts |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408191718/https://norwegiancharts.com/search.asp?cat=s&artist=dave+davies&artist_search=starts&title=&title_search=starts |archive-date=8 April 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| 1967
|"[[Death of a Clown]]"
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|37
| style="text-align:center;"|5
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|2
| style="text-align:center;"|10
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|7
|-
|January 1968
|"[[Susannah's Still Alive]]"
| style="text-align:center;"|20
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|27
| style="text-align:center;"|10
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|18
| style="text-align:center;"|3
|-
|July 1968
|"[[Lincoln County (song)|Lincoln County]]"<ref name="ref1">UK releases: "Lincoln County" and "Hold My Hand" were UK/European releases and were not released as singles in the U.S.</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|15
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
| January 1969
|"[[Hold My Hand (Dave Davies song)|Hold My Hand]]"<ref name="ref1"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
| colspan="10" align="center" style="font-size:8pt" |"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory
|}

===Other appearances===
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Song
!Album
!Notes
|-
|2003
|"[[Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)]]"
|''Songs from the Material World: A Tribute to George Harrison''<ref>{{Citation |title=Various - Songs From The Material World (A Tribute To George Harrison) |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/935568-Various-Songs-From-The-Material-World-A-Tribute-To-George-Harrison |access-date=24 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
|[[George Harrison]] cover
|-
| rowspan="2" |2012
|"Money Maker"
|''Black and Blue: A Tribute to the Black Keys''<ref>{{Citation |title=Various Artists - Black on Blues: A Tribute to the Black Keys Album Reviews, Songs & More {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/black-on-blues-a-tribute-to-the-black-keys-mw0002387782 |access-date=24 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
|with [[Huw Lloyd-Langton]]
|-
|"[[My Generation]]"
|''Who Are You: An All Star Tribute to The Who''<ref>{{Citation|title=Who Are You: An All-Star Tribute to the Who - Various Artists {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/who-are-you-an-all-star-tribute-to-the-who-mw0002417600|language=en|access-date=16 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028010934/https://www.allmusic.com/album/who-are-you-an-all-star-tribute-to-the-who-mw0002417600 |archive-date=28 October 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|with [[Knox (pop rock musician)|Knox]] and [[Rat Scabies]]
|-
|2013
|"After the Ball (1892)"
|''The Beautiful Old: Turn-of-the-Century Songs''<ref>{{Citation |title=Marsteller & Rhodes With Featured Artists - The Beautiful Old: Turn-Of-The-Century Songs |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/7829693-Marsteller-Rhodes-With-Featured-Artists-The-Beautiful-Old-Turn-Of-The-Century-Songs |access-date=24 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
|Traditional
|}

===Demo recordings (''The Meta Media Demo Series'')===
* ''Fortis Green'' (1999)
* ''Fragile'' (2001)

===Guest appearances===
* [[In the Mouth of Madness (soundtrack)|''In the Mouth of Madness'' soundtrack]], lead guitar on track one (1995)

=== Projects with Russ Davies ===
* ''Purusha and the Spiritual Planet'' <small>as Crystal Radio</small> (1998)
* ''Two Worlds'' <small>as The Aschere Project</small> (2010)<ref>{{Citation |title=The Aschere Project - Two Worlds |date=8 November 2010 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/11686543-The-Aschere-Project-Two-Worlds |access-date=6 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.davedavies.com/ Official website]
* {{Discogs artist}}

{{The Kinks}}
{{1990 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Use British English|date=August 2010}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Davies, Dave}}
[[Category:1947 births]]
[[Category:20th-century English LGBTQ people]]
[[Category:20th-century English male singers]]
[[Category:21st-century English LGBTQ people]]
[[Category:21st-century English male singers]]
[[Category:Bisexual male musicians]]
[[Category:Bisexual male singers]]
[[Category:Bisexual songwriters]]
[[Category:English lead guitarists]]
[[Category:British rhythm and blues boom musicians]]
[[Category:English autobiographers]]
[[Category:English bisexual men]]
[[Category:English bisexual musicians]]
[[Category:English LGBTQ singers]]
[[Category:English LGBTQ songwriters]]
[[Category:English male guitarists]]
[[Category:English male songwriters]]
[[Category:English people of Welsh descent]]
[[Category:English rock guitarists]]
[[Category:The Kinks members]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:MNRK Music Group artists]]
[[Category:Musicians from the London Borough of Haringey]]
[[Category:People from Chipping Barnet]]
[[Category:People from Fortis Green]]
[[Category:People from Muswell Hill]]
[[Category:Singers from the London Borough of Haringey]]
[[Category:20th-century British LGBTQ people]]
[[Category:21st-century British LGBTQ people]]
[[Category:British bisexual men]]
[[Category:British bisexual musicians]]
[[Category:British LGBTQ singers]]
[[Category:British LGBTQ songwriters]]
[[Category:LGBTQ people from London]]