The Kinks are one of the most important bands in the history of rock and roll and they have influenced countless acts since they started in the early 60’s. Dave Davies has kept the flame of the band alive in recent years touring and stumping for a reunion of the band. The fans have been clamoring for it too, and if the rest of the world is as lively as the crowd was at The Egg on Monday, hopefully the reunion happens sooner than later.

The crowd rose to their feet as Dave strode on the stage, smile across his face, and the band went right into “Ripping Up Time” and “All Day and All of the Night”. The band he is touring with now is no Kinks, but they held their own and produced the music we all know and love from the seminal rock band. They shined the most on Dave’s newer songs, since they were recorded with them. “Front Room”, one of the songs on Dave’s latest album, was biographical and went through the beginnings of The Kinks and was a nice piece of history for everyone to listen to.

Dave is of course the muscle behind some of The Kinks’s greatest tunes and despite playing for over 50 years professionally, he still loves to play the guitar. He was excellent throughout the night and dazzled the crowd with some fantastic solos. The power chords of songs like “Where Have All the Good Times Gone” and “You Really Got Me” still sounded fresh and exciting. The way that a certain chord can still move a group of people to shout and dance after all these years is amazing.

While his guitar playing is still great, his voice is not what he is known for as that job was always his brother’s and this hurt the show slightly. It would have been great if he had gotten another person to sing for him, but at the same time it was great to see him sing the songs that he is most famous for. His voice did shine though when he strapped on the acoustic guitar for the middle portion of the show and didn’t have to strain as hard to be heard like when he was playing the electric guitar. Before “Young and Innocent Days” Dave joked that Ray has been threatening to come to one of his shows and play with him. He then had the house lights raised a little and called out to him. Of course Ray was nowhere to be seen, but it was a nice wink to his legacy.

Dave has had a few health scares the last few years, but you wouldn’t know it with how he was jumping around the stage while playing. Hopefully the brothers can agree on a line up for the band and get on the road soon before everyone gets too old for it to happen. Until then keep hope alive, as Dave is, and go enjoy some live Kinks music from the only man who is playing it currently. 

Words and Photos by Bryan Lasky. Full Gallery: