Kinks reunion not likely soon: Ray Davies

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Recent reports have trumpeted a supposed reunion in the works for the Kinks. But Ray Davies, frontman of the British Invasion band, has told Billboard that fans shouldn't get their hopes up just yet.

Davies acknowledged that he's had reunion discussions with the members of the Kinks' original lineup -- his brother, guitarist Dave Davies, bassist Pete Quaife and drummer Mick Avory. But "it depends on if Dave and I get together," he said, acknowledging that the younger Davies is still recovering from a stroke he suffered in 2004.

"He's gradually getting his strength back, but he's playing again, so that's a good sign."

New material would also have to be part of the equation. "I can't get a band together just to play the old hits," Davies said. "They'd have to be able to do, like, 10 percent new material. I think that will be the determining factor in the long run."

The problem: Dave Davies seems to want no part of a reunion, having posted on his Web site that "it would be like a poor remake of 'Night of the Livin (sic) Dead"' and declaring that Ray has been doing "Karaoke Kinks shows since 1996," when the band last worked together.

Ray's response: "He's getting well enough to shout at me. That's a good sign."

Reuters/Billboard