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As a youngster growing up in a rural area of Dover, Pennsylvania.
I became fascinated by the top musical acts of the British Invasion of 1964.
Although I was born 8 years too late, I discovered the brilliance of:
The Who
The Rolling Stones
and The Animals at the ripe old age of 9. I studied their music, lyrics and sensibilities and tried to understand where they came from..
and how their culture shaped them.
I wanted to visit all the places i could feel and uncover through their music.
Ironically, they were working class and yet somehow lyrically sophisticated.
But,no group was quintessentially more English and more fascinating than The Kinks. The Kinks have always been outsiders,..
as they were banned from America by the American Federation of Musicians in 1965, and weren't allowed back in the states till 1969.
During this exile, their music became highly introspective.
Much of their music reflected social commentary and the strife of England's working class,
as they eloquently captured the places and time honored traditions inherent in English culture.
Unlike most bands, Ray and Dave Davies did not protest their cultural upbringing but honored and embraced them through their music.
As they paid homage to the charm of an English Hamlet lifestyle, my adoration of London and England found its roots.
Perhaps this is why they never reached the commercial success of their contemporaries, but they were never one for welching on the artistic integrity for financial gain.
Ray Davies is often considered England's answer to Bob Dylan.
The Who's Pete Townshend once stated that Davies should be England's Poet Laureate and considers him British Rock's 'only true and natural genius'
I mean...who else's songwriting could send this silly 4th grade to frantically research various English notables like:
Desperate Dan
Old Mother Riley
Mary Quant
Christine Keeler
The 'Angry Young Men'...the writers
Alan Sillitoe
Keith Waterhouse
John Osborne
Of course, there's Louis Mountbatten
and we can't forget the Kray Twins
It was always my ambition to see Piccadilly...ramble around Soho, Pimlico and Saville Row.
I wanted to experience the culture and fashion of Carnaby Street during the Swinging London Scene...
I wanted to feast on Sunday's Roast Beef and Gooseberry Tarts.
I wanted to witness the sunset from Waterloo Bridge on the River Thames.
And this my friends is just the beginning of what I was exposed to through the music of The Kinks and Ray Davies.
I recently caught Ray Davies at the Temple Performing Arts Center, Temple University in Philadelphia.
I was lucky enough to snap a few photos and film several of his finely crafted songs.
I felt it appropriate to include the song titled 'Thanksgiving Day' in this mini film.
I also saw him at The Fillmore in Silver Spring, Maryland and caught a snippet of 'Waterloo Sunset'.
I hope you will enjoy them half as much as I do...if this is the case, you will love it.