Kinky Goodness | Classic Leftcoastlove

Ray Davies is underappreciated, there I said it. He along with brother Dave were at the forefront of the British Invasion with The Who, The Stones, and The Beatles. This guy has been there and done that more times over and he still continues to beg the audience for love and acceptance. I guess even the famous can feel inferior.

Last night in San Francisco Ray received love and acceptance. The 800 people who braved the cold rain were treated to 2 sets of new songs and the sing-a-long favorites you would expect. Ray is a true professional, he started on time and his band was tight and well rehearsed. The fans loved it all and I have to admit I was also dancing up in the high rafters of the Warfield. L O L A... LOLA!!!

It was also a bittersweet evening. Ray was the first performer to talk about the upcoming closure of the Warfield and that marking the end to the Bill Graham era of music in San Francisco. Ray shared some memories of Bill and playing at the Fillmore and Warfield. He recalled Elton John was the opening act and he lamented the loss of community that shaped a musical generation. I felt sad that my ushering was going to come to end next month but I also thought about all the great shows I've seen and I remember that I met Stacey here. It was a great chapter in my life and for that one moment Ray and I were feeling the same thing. I looked to my left and smiled and squeezed Stacey's hand a little tighter. Where have all the good times gone?

From the Headlines...

Kinks star shot in New Orleans - http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Music/01/05/davies.shot/index.html

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The incredible view from the last row of the historic Warfield Theater in San Francisco. I will miss this piece of history and the memories made there. Believe it or not this spot actually has the best sound of any area in the theater. I like to sit with the band between my feet and imagine the Warfield as my living room. A boy can dream, can't he?