The Kinks' Dave Davies Paralyzed from a Stroke

Kinks guitarist and co-founder Dave Davies has been partially paralzyed on his right side due to a stroke that hit him while promoting his new solo album, Bug, in June of this year. According to the Associated Press, doctors have stated that Davies will be in the hospital for at least another month, as he continues undergo physical therapy. He is expected to recover.

"He is paralyzed on the right hand side of his body but he retains some feeling and he can still hold a guitar plectrum," says Davies' spokeman Alan Robinson. "These small things mean a hell of a lot. They're small but very important."

The lo-fi ragged guitar crunch Davies pioneered in the 60s has often been cited as one of the defining styles in rock music, and is an obvious influence to generations of punk and indie rockers who have followed. Since rumors have been floating around of a possible Kinks reunion to co-incide with the 40th anniversary of their first number one single ("You Really Got Me"), let's all cross our fingers and hope for a full and speedy recouperation.

Dave Davies' recent health news comes on the heels of his brother Ray's own brush with mortality. The elder Davies, and head singing/songwriting Kink, was shot in January of this year as he chased two thieves in New Orleans who ran off with his girlfriend's handbag (contrary to reports, not all British men carry purses). Ray was not seriously injured-- the bullet hit his leg.

Health issues aside, this has already been a newsworthy year for The Kinks. As previously reported, Sanctuary's UK arm released a massive three-disc version of the band's classic The Village Green Preservation Society, and Koch Records has been dishing out a slew of other reissues. Now on the horizon are the majority of the band's 70s and 80s albums, to be released in three separate batches. Look for the first group of discs on August 24th, with the next currently scheduled for September 21st. The release of the third and final set is yet to be announced.

August 24th:
Muswell Hillbillies
Schoolboys in Disgrace
One for the Road
Misfits
Give the People What They Want

September 21st:
Preservation: Act 1
Preservation: Act 2
Word of Mouth
State of Confusion

TBA:
Everybody's in Showbiz
A Soap Opera
Celluloid Heroes/The Kinks Greatest
Sleepwalker
Come Dancing with The Kinks

.: Pitchfork Review:The Kinks: Village Green Preservation Society