I grew up listening to The Beatles. When I was seven years old, I remember being obsessed with The Yellow Submarine, running around yelling "The Blue Meanies are coming!" Then when I was ten, my father sat me down for another one of his favorites, "Tommy" and a Who fan was born. It is funny how that movie disturbs me more now then it did as a kid. I eventually got into The Rolling Stones when I was in High School but it wasn't until I was twenty or so, that I discovered The Kinks. Considered a British Invasion band, they are the 98 Degrees of the British Invasion with one small exception, their music is actually very, very good. It is unfortunate that The Kinks had to come across the pond at the same time as The Beatles, The Who and The Rolling Stones. Who wants to be compared to the likes of them, only to fall short every single time. They aren't The Beatles, The Stones or The Who.... they are The Kinks. They aren't the same but better in their own way. So today, I sit here and listen to The Kinks' Lola versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One. Always highly impressed by what they have been able to accomplish, in spite of the comparisons. Don't hate me for saying it but I have always loved The Kinks more than The Stones. If you haven't had the privlege of listening to a Kinks album, start with Lola versus Powerman.
So for your viewing pleasure, their hit "Lola" as performed on Top of the Pops.
I could never hate someone who prefers the Kinks to the Stones. Don't get me wrong, I like the Stones (moderately) but have always felt they were overrated. Amen to finally knowing that I'm not the only one who thinks that there IS a better band.
ReplyDeleteFYI-I remember watching as my brother and his now wife sang "Lola" at karaoke together many years ago...for me, that was the best time I have ever had at a karaoke night.