The Kinks, A Legacy Marked by Conflict: “The tour that broke up The Kinks”

 

For musicians, the road can be both a proving ground and a battleground. It’s where artists leave behind the polish of the studio and attempt to breathe life into their songs, captivating audiences night after night. However, for some bands, the touring lifestyle becomes a strain, as was the case with The Kinks. By the time they released *State of Confusion*, the pressures of life on the road had led them to the brink of collapse.

The Dynamic Duo: Ray and Dave Davies

At the heart of The Kinks’ enduring appeal was the complex relationship between brothers Ray and Dave Davies. Their creative tension fueled some of the most iconic songs of the 1960s, with “You Really Got Me” standing out as a prime example of their ferocious musical synergy. Ray often took the lead in shaping the band’s sound and vision, pushing boundaries that at times left the group divided.

*The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society* showcased Ray’s unique storytelling, capturing a nostalgic England that contrasted sharply with the

psychedelic vibes popularized by contemporaries like The Beatles. This introspective album demonstrated Ray’s ability to evoke a specific place and time, one that was slowly fading but never entirely lost.

The Road to Turmoil

However, as The Kinks embarked on their tours, the reality of life on the road began to take its toll. The tensions that simmered in the studio boiled over during performances, particularly between Dave and drummer Mick Avory. Their notorious on-stage altercations became legendary, with incidents like Avory throwing drums at Dave turning concerts into chaotic events.

By the time they reached *State of Confusion*, these issues had reached a critical point. The album, which aimed to capitalize on their newfound stadium success, instead highlighted the deepening rifts within the band. Ray expressed a bittersweet fondness for the record, lamenting that their hard-won success came at a high personal cost. In his words, “Success made us split up.”

The Price of Fame

*State of Confusion* reflected the band’s internal struggles as much as it did their musical evolution. Despite its commercial success, the ongoing conflicts proved too great to ignore. Mick Avory’s role diminished, with Bob Henrit stepping in to fill the drumming duties. The once-tight unit that could have rivaled The Rolling Stones found itself fracturing under pressure.

The album’s cover, depicting individuals going in different directions, became a poignant metaphor for The Kinks’ disunity. While their music continued to resonate with fans, the realities of their personal relationships made it increasingly difficult to maintain the same level of creativity and collaboration.

A Legacy Marked by Conflict

Though The Kinks would release a few more albums, the spirit of camaraderie that had initially driven their success had been irrevocably altered. The band’s journey serves as a reminder of the thin line between artistic triumph and personal turmoil. While Ray Davies had a vision for the band that aimed to capture the essence of England, the price of that ambition was often paid in strained relationships and emotional scars.

In reflecting on their tumultuous history, it’s clear that the road can be both a place of discovery and destruction for musicians. For The Kinks, the release of *State of Confusion* marked not just a milestone in their career but also a crucial turning point in their story—a stark reminder of the fragility of success when weighed against the complexities of personal dynamics.