In the early seventies, the Kinks blew their golden opportunity to become superstars in the U.S. After the sudden resuscitation of their career with the incredible success of “Lola”, it seemed inevitable that they would take their rightful place with the Who and Led Zeppelin to become one of the most successful English acts of the new decade, but this was not to happen.

Perhaps it was due to the turmoil of Ray and Dave Davies’ personal lives, with divorce (the former), addiction (the latter) and paranoia (both) affecting their attitudes toward their career, but the Kinks blew their opportunity. Instead of staying focused on their second chance, the band became a caricature of themselves, performing as a modern version of a fey British music hall comedy act. Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of all this was that the band remained so incredibly entertaining, even while most Americans lost interest.

The Kinks lost their broad audience, but they attracted a cult following that related (and reveled) in their self-destructive tendencies. This show captures the ‘beautiful car-wreck’ aspect of the band in all its glory, featuring excerpts from a performance in NYC’s Carnegie Hall from March 1972.

Top of the Pops

Brainwashed

Mr. Wonderful

Acute Schizophrenia Paranoia Blues

Holiday

Muswell Hillbilly

Alcohol

Banana Boat Song

Skin and Bone

Baby Face

Lola

Till the End of the Day

She Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina

 Anytime

The Good Life

Lavender Lane

Mountain Woman