The Kinks singer Ray Davies has revealed that infamous London gangsters The Krays were keen to manage the band during the 60s.
The Kinks are one of the most quintessentially British groups imaginable. Their early thrashing power chord sound gave way to a delicate depiction of English life, turning lead singer Ray Davies into a songwriting hero.
The great lost band of the 60s, The Kinks were only fully given the credit they were due during the Britpop era. Ray Davies sang a duet with Blur frontman Damon Albarn, while numerous groups name dropped the iconic group.
A lesser known fact is the band’s difficult origins. While other groups such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones came from stable middle class backgrounds The Kinks were genuine East End street urchins.
During their rise to the top of the charts a local crew of heavies were busy making headlines of their own. Ronnie and Reggie Kray came to infamy after their murder of Jack ‘The Hat’ McVitie in 1967, but before then the brothers owned several nightclubs.
According to a new interview with Ray Davies the brothers approached The Kinks’ management with a view to looking after the band.
“Our managers at the time were stockbroker types. They had a visit from someone in the Kray twins’ organisation saying they were interested in managing us,” Davies explained to WENN.
“They also asked if Mick Avory (The Kinks’ drummer) would be available for a date. It wouldn’t have been beneath our managers to strike a deal. The mind boggles.”
Continuing, the singer claimed that he later received a phone call from Reggie Kray whilst the gangster was in prison. Apparently Davies’ classic ‘London Song’ had greatly moved the one time criminal, with the song containing the line “and don’t forget the Kray Twins”.
“I received a phone call from Her Majesty’s Prison saying how much he liked it,” Davies explained.
The Kinks were at the centre of reformation rumours earlier this year, with Ray Davies explaining that he would love to work with the group again.
