Mick Avory

Mick Avory, the steadfastly rhythmic bedrock of The Kinks, has long dwelled in the pantheon of rock's understated heroes. Born Michael Charles Avory on February 15, 1944, in Hampton, Middlesex, Avory would rise from an ordinary suburban upbringing to partaking in the extraordinary cultural seismic shift provoked by 1960s British rock. With a career that spans nearly six decades, Avory's contributions to music are as subtly profound as his drumming style. The history of Avory's musical journey is inextricably linked with the phenomenon known as The Kinks, where his tenure as the original drummer from 1964 to 1984 marked a cornerstone in the band's evolution from raw and raucous rhythm and blues purveyors to one of rock's most revered and innovative outfits. However, the seeds of Avory's musical prowess were sown long before he ever met the Davies brothers. In his youth, Avory was surrounded by the burgeoning jazz and skiffle scenes that swept Britain in the late 1950s. Drawn to the magnetic pull of rhythm, he began exploring percussion, honing his skills by playing in local bands around London. His initial forays into music saw him briefly flirt with an association with The Rolling Stones, a nascent band at the time, where he is rumored to have rehearsed with the group before Charlie Watts ultimately took up residence behind their drum kit. It was in 1964 that Avory's trajectory took its most defining turn. He answered an ad placed by The Kinks, a group seeking a drummer amidst the chaos of London's competitive rock scene. Comprised of brothers Ray and Dave Davies, bassist Pete Quaife, and the eventual addition of Avory, the band's chemistry was a volatile yet creatively rich cocktail that led to their rapid ascent. The Kinks exploded onto the scene with "You Really Got Me," a song whose thunderous power chord riff would secure their place in rock history. Avory's unyielding, propulsive drumming was the engine behind the noise, propelling the band to heights that resonated far beyond England's shores. Throughout the 1960s, Avory's steady presence provided a counterbalance to the often tumultuous and mercurial Davies brothers. He was part of the creative force behind albums like "Face to Face," "Something Else by The Kinks," and "The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society"—records that are now considered masterpieces of rock's golden era. Avory's drumming style—characterized by its precision, restraint, and an air of seemingly effortless timing—allowed the more theatrical and experimental elements of The Kinks' music to flourish. The 1970s saw The Kinks pivoting towards more conceptually ambitious projects, with Avory's adaptability shining through. His work on albums such as "Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)" and "Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One" contributed significantly to the band's dynamic soundscapes. Yet, the decade was not without its challenges. Internal tensions, sometimes boiling over into physical altercations, such as the infamous onstage clash with Dave Davies during a performance in Cardiff in 1965, painted a picture of a band walking a delicate tightrope between creative synergy and destructive rivalry. The fissures widened as the years wore on, and by 1984, Avory's tenure with The Kinks came to an end. The separation was bittersweet, marked by an evolving musical landscape and personal differences that could no longer be contained. Avory, forever the understated and pragmatic musician, departed quietly, leaving behind a legacy deeply embedded in the bedrock of rock and roll. Post-Kinks, Mick Avory did not retreat from the music scene. Instead, he continued to explore his passion for rhythm and collaboration. The drummer found solace in playing with The Kast Off Kinks, a band formed with other former members of The Kinks, which allowed him to revisit the familiar territory and maintain a connection with the lively and loyal Kinks fan community. Additionally, his work with bands like The Class of 64 and reunion concerts with The Kinks cemented his enduring allure as a musician's musician. Avory's journey underscores the story of a man who embraced the pulse of rock and roll with a quiet yet powerful grip. His career, marked by both the grandeur of The Kinks' eclectic discography and the humble satisfaction of simply playing the drums he loves, offers a testament to the power of rhythm and the unseen heartbeat of rock music. In the story of Mick Avory, we find not just the tale of one man's musical odyssey, but a reflection of rock's broader narrative—one that's tinged with triumph, tribulation, and an indelible beat that continues to resonate through the ages.