Ray Davies : NPR

Ray Davies: 'Myths Are An Important Part Of America'

Ray Davies' latest solo album is Americana. Steve Gullick/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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World Cafe

Ray Davies: 'Myths Are An Important Part Of America'

XPN

April 21, 2017 • The legendary frontman of The Kinks discusses his new solo album, Americana, which deals in part with his relationship, as a Brit, to the United States.

Ray Davies On World Cafe

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To Ray Davies, America Is Still A Land Of Opportunity

Ray Davies' new album, Americana, is based on his 2013 memoir of the same name. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Music Interviews

To Ray Davies, America Is Still A Land Of Opportunity

April 11, 2017 • The former Kinks leader speaks with Steve Inskeep about Americana, a musical distillation of his sometimes tumultuous life as British rock star in the U.S.

To Ray Davies, America Is Still A Land Of Opportunity

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The Kinks' Ray Davies Teams Up With The Jayhawks On 'Poetry'

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All Songs Considered

The Kinks' Ray Davies Teams Up With The Jayhawks On 'Poetry'

January 23, 2017 • We have new music from The Kinks' Ray Davies. This British songwriter's fascination with U.S. culture culminates in a new album with The Jayhawks called Americana.

The Kinks' Ray Davies Teams Up With The Jayhawks On 'Poetry'

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World Cafe

Ray Davies On World Cafe, Part 2

XPN

February 4, 2015 • Hear the second part of a wide-ranging interview with The Kinks' lead singer.

Ray Davies On World Cafe

26:19

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World Cafe

Ray Davies On World Cafe

XPN

February 3, 2015 • On the occasion of a new Kinks anthology, the British band's singer discusses creative frustration.

Ray Davies On World Cafe

21:30

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Naive, Yet Revolutionary: Ray Davies On 50 Years Of The Kinks

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Music Interviews

Naive, Yet Revolutionary: Ray Davies On 50 Years Of The Kinks

Fresh Air

November 26, 2014 • "I think if I had been an accomplished songwriter I wouldn't have written 'You Really Got Me,' " Davies tells Fresh Air's Terry Gross.

Naive, Yet Revolutionary: Ray Davies On 50 Years Of The Kinks

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World Cafe

Ray Davies On World Cafe

XPN

December 5, 2013 • The British rock legend visits the WXPN studio to discuss his new memoir, Americana: The Kinks, The Riff, The Road: The Story.

Ray Davies On World Cafe

21:18

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Ray Davies enlists Bruce Springsteen, Lucinda Williams and other artists to help perform his songs on the new album See My Friends. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Music Interviews

Ray Davies: That's What Friends Are For

May 27, 2011 • The legendary Kinks singer teams with Bruce Springsteen, Lucinda Williams, Metallica and others on the new See My Friends.

Ray Davies: That's What Friends Are For

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Music Interviews

What It's Like To Sing With Ray Davies

December 22, 2009 • Most of the time, Jeff Lunden reports for NPR from the outside looking in. But last month, his chorus was invited to back up the great Ray Davies of The Kinks, in a couple of concerts in New York City. Lunden reports from his 15 minutes of rock fame.

What It's Like To Sing With Ray Davies

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Bob Boilen

Live in Concert

The Kinks Choral Concert

December 22, 2009 • For some diehard Kinks fans, the idea of mixing the band's classic songs with a full choir had little appeal. One of those fans, All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen, was dubious, before he heard the results on the latest CD from Kinks frontman Ray Davies, The Kinks Choral Collection. Boilen was part of a rapt audience at a Nov. 20 performance of the songs, recorded live in New York, by Ray Davies and the Dessoff Chamber Choir. Hear that show in its entirety here.

The Kinks Choral Concert

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All Songs Considered

Fall Music Preview

September 21, 2009 • On this All Songs we spin some of the albums we're most looking forward to coming out this fall. Hear previews from The Flaming Lips, choral versions of classic Kinks songs, The Swell Season and more.

Fall Music Preview

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All Songs Considered

Guest DJ Ray Davies

March 27, 2008 • Ray Davies, former frontman for The Kinks, shares some of the songs that have inspired him over the years with All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen. Hear music from Ray Charles, Dizzy Gillespie, Chuck Berry and more, as well as selections from Ray Davies' latest solo album, Working Man's Cafe.

Guest DJ Ray Davies

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Music Interviews

Ray Davies: Rock Legend Rocks On

Fresh Air

February 28, 2008 • Rock legend Ray Davies joins Fresh Air's Terry Gross to discuss his career with the '60s British band The Kinks, and as a solo artist. He also describes a harrowing incident in New Orleans that nearly cost him his life.

Ray Davies: Rock Legend Rocks On

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All Songs Considered

Music from Belize, Folk Artist Patty Larkin, Lightspeed Champion, More

January 24, 2008 • This week features music from the late Central American artist Andy Palacio, a preview of new music from Patty Larkin, folk-driven rock from Lightspeed Champion, and more.

Music from Belize, Folk Artist Patty Larkin, Lightspeed Champion, More

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The Kinks' Ray Davies

Fresh Air

December 27, 2006 • Lead singer and songwriter, Ray Davies started The Kinks in 1964 with his brother, Dave. His latest album is the solo effort, Other People's Lives. Said to be the pioneers of the rowdy garage band genre of rock music, The Kinks had many hits including "You Really Got Me," "Lola," "All Day and All of the Night" and "Tired of Waiting for You." This interview originally aired on Apr. 3, 2006.

The Kinks' Ray Davies

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Music Interviews

The Kinks' Ray Davies: Opening a Solo Chapter

Fresh Air

April 3, 2006 • Lead singer and songwriter for The Kinks, Ray Davies started The Kinks in 1964 with his brother, Dave. They are said to be the pioneers of the rowdy garage band genre of rock music. Davies is now 61 and on tour for his first solo album, Other Peoples Lives.

The Kinks' Ray Davies: Opening a Solo Chapter

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Music

A Solo Ray Davies Peers into 'Other People's Lives'

April 3, 2006 • After more than 40 years as the Kinks' lead singer and primary songwriter, Ray Davies has released his first solo studio recording, Other People's Lives. Despite the album's title, the music is really about him. The 61-year-old says the characters that he sings and writes about are a reflection of who he is.

A Solo Ray Davies Peers into 'Other People's Lives'

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World Cafe

Ray Davies Makes His Solo Statement

XPN

March 31, 2006 • As the front man and lead songwriter of the Kinks, Davies helped lead the British Invasion of American pop music. And the group's influence has only grown over the years, as an increasing number of young musicians cite them as an influence.

Ray Davies Makes His Solo Statement

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All Songs Considered

The Strokes, Ray Davies, Liz Carroll

January 4, 2006 • Long-awaited new music from The Strokes; a first-ever solo studio CD by former Kinks frontman Ray Davies; Tortoise and Bonnie Prince Billy collaborate on a new CD and more.

The Strokes, Ray Davies, Liz Carroll

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Music Interviews

Covering The Kinks

April 21, 2002 • A new album pays tribute to The Kinks with renditions of the band's songs by contemporary artists. Kinks frontman Ray Davies, along with album producer Jim Pitt, talks with host Lynn Neary about the album and about The Kinks' legacy on Weekend Edition Sunday.

Covering The Kinks

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