The Kinks’ former members will play fans’ ‘biggest event of the year’ in north London homecoming this Sunday.
Fans of The Kinks are set for their biggest event of the year as alumni of the famous rock group gather for an upcoming gig this weekend.
Kast Off Kinks, a band comprising former Kinks members, will play three sets at music venue The Dome in Tufnell Park on Sunday 26 November, from 1pm to 6pm. The event was organised by the Official Kinks Fan Club.
The band is formed of Mick Avory, Mark Haley, Mike Steed and Dave Clarke (of The Noel Redding Band). Two former members of the Kinks, Bob Henrit and John Dalton will be supporting acts before the show.
An auction of Kinks memorabilia will be held in between sets, raising money for Dementia UK. This will include records signed by former Kinks’ lead vocalist Sir Ray Davies and lead guitarist Dave Davies and a Viking helmet famously worn by the late band member John Gosling.
It is the Official Kinks’ Fan Club’s biggest event of the year, according to committee member Bill Orton. He said: “For the fans, and me personally, it’s an opportunity for fans from all over Europe, the USA and the UK to meet up and enjoy our love of the music.”
The Kinks were formed in 1963 by north Londoners Ray and Dave Davies, Pete Quaife and Mick Avory.
Kast Off Kinks, formed in 1994, have upheld the local quality of the band by playing annual shows for the Official Kinks Fan Club across north London. As Orton says, fans of the the Kinks come from across the world, but Sally Hipwell, office manager at The Dome, notes the distinct community feel of the band.
The Kinks’ 1971 album Muswell Hillbillies takes the name of the Davies brothers’ childhood suburb, and its cover photo is of the famous Archway Tavern’s interior.
“It’s the same faces you see every year,” Hipwell said. “People that are coming here to help out or set up the chairs or make sure the band’s equipment comes in – they’re all people that just love the music, coming to have fun and you can see a real sense of community within them. People get really, really excited about it. I mean I’m really excited about it! It’s a lot of fun, the day is just so interesting, and everyone is just so lovely.”
