PETE QUAIFE OF THE KINKS - 1943 - 2010

Founding Kinks bass player Pete Quaife passed away last night. He played on the band's early, and most classic albums.  He left the band briefly in 1966 after a car accident, and was briefly replaced by John Dalton.  Then he rejoined a few months later, leaving permanently in 1969 (and being replaced by Dalton again).

Of course, when people talk about The Kinks, they mainly talk about Ray Davies, or the rivalry between Ray and Dave Davies, but there was definitely a serious chemistry to the original lineup, which also included drummer Mick Avory. All the members were important, and it wasn't the same once Quaife left, the chemistry changed. For the last few years, there have been rampant rumors that the original four would reunite, but alas, it wasn't to be. Maybe they will reunite and use John Dalton.

Quaife said that his favorite album was 1968's The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society. This performance features two of the songs, "The Last Of The Steam-Powered Trains," and one of my favorites, "Picture Book" (recently used in a camera commercial, I can't remember exactly what it was for?). (This performance looks like they are performing to a backing track, but you can still see the chemistry).