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X-Ray: The Unauthorized Autobiography
by
Ray Davies
The shocking and edgy memoirs of Ray Davies, a dedicated enemy of fashion and the lead singer of The Kinks, is the must-read rock book of the year. Subversively brilliant, this one-of-a-kind rock autobiography, ingeniously styled as a biography, is written by a nameless, faceless writer hired by an Orwellian entity called "the Corporation" to capture the essence ...more
Paperback, 417 pages
Published
October 30th 2007
by Overlook Press
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When I picked up this book, I expected a fairly typical autobiography of a rock star, but I should've known better. Ray Davies of the Kinks never did anything like anyone else, and this book is no exception. Instead of telling his story in a straightforward manner, Davies creates a fictional interviewer, with his own backstory, who sets out to interview the aging rock star known as Ray Davies. The book starts off slowly, but once it gets going it's thoroughly engaging and entertaining. It's some...more
I always get rankled when I hear people (especially "professionals"-whatever that means) Saying that "So-and-So is the greatest writer, or artist, or singer, or Tea-cozy collector, etc. of all time", based solely on their own personal tastes and assumptions, rather than saying logically and correctly that "So-and-So is THEIR PERSONAL FAVORITE Jai-Alai referree, (ad infinitum)".
That being said, Ray Davies, IS THE GREATEST BRITISH SONGWRITER OF ALL TIME. Simple ...more
That being said, Ray Davies, IS THE GREATEST BRITISH SONGWRITER OF ALL TIME. Simple ...more
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Rather than write a conventional autobiography, Ray Davies (former singer/songwriter/band-leader of The Kinks) wrote this novel (1st published in the early-'90s) set in a dystopian near future. A young man working for "the Corporation" interviews an old Ray Davies, all the while wondering to what extent Davies is lying to him. In addition, there's a psychic bond between interviewer & subject, & time travel, or something.
I almost stopped reading this book after the first two chapters, THEN, it grabbed me and I could hardly wait for the next chapter to begin. It definitely is different in that it is told within the genre of science fiction. Parts kind of reminded me of Philip K. Dick with time travel and reality confusion. As I was reading the chapters, I couldn't get the songs out of my head. He is a mad genius.
I would have thought that the man who wrote and sang of characters lazing on sunny afternoons, obsessing with lust, class, and fashion, nostalgia, falling unashamedly for transsexuals, and confessing a simian nature would have provided his readers a glimpse of that same wry, quirky, satirist. It takes 30 pages for the narrative to begin; and then, it speaks through a dark, humorless victim, using a very awkward and self-conscious device.
And the book ultimately made me very sad. RD seems so disil...more
And the book ultimately made me very sad. RD seems so disil...more
I remember now why I love The Kinks. Only Ray would write his autobiography as a fictional account of a kid working for a world-running Corporation coming to interview the old rock star. ;-)
Another fictionalized autobiography, Ray took an outsider's viewpoint (at times) of his life in and out of the Kinks.
China Bialos
rated it
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review of another edition
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review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Anyone who hangs onto every word uttered by their favorite musicians.
I got sort of tired going back and forth between the narrator's narrative and R.D.'s narrative, keeping track of who was who, but it was a creative approach. This book actually made me appreciate the quirkiness of Dave Davies a bit more, as well as Ray Davies' views on England and America. But I was hoping to hear a bit about his life after Muswell Hillbillies, and after finding out that "Two Sisters" was based on he and Dave Davies no longer listen to the song and get the same sad rea...more
Ray Davies is one of the great songwriters of his generation. No. I should say one of the great songrwriters of the 60's. The fact he is not really part of the 60's scene, although he was... Well now it gets complicated.
On the other hand this is a very interesting memoir/work of fiction from Mr. Davies. What's fascinating is you can see his mind at work. No way was he going to write a straight ahead memoir. Not his style. And surprise, it's a really good book.
And l...more
On the other hand this is a very interesting memoir/work of fiction from Mr. Davies. What's fascinating is you can see his mind at work. No way was he going to write a straight ahead memoir. Not his style. And surprise, it's a really good book.
And l...more
My Bible
Great insite...Great songwriter, unique guy!
Quite enjoyable romp through the mind of Ray Davies. In trying to understand the confusion and dreams of the actors in the 1960s this is a good non-sugary portrayal of the times in a semi-fictional, semi-autobiographical story. While not high art (what of the Kinks was) it has a kind of Werner Herzog ecstatic truth to it which is also true of the Kinks music. Even though I didn't finish it, I appreciated reading it...
This was a creative effort on Ray's part, to tell his story and the story of the Kinks by using a third person character to interact with himself. it works at times, and other times it's weird and gets in the way of the bio.
Read this a second time and had to change my star rating from 3 to 5. Appreciated it more having recently seen Ray Davies in concert and indulging in yet another epic Kinks kick. First time around I think I was put-off by the fictional narrator schtick, but I softened a little this time around.
This autobiography is unlike any you will ever read! Has an intersting way of meandering back and forth between fiction and reality, to paint an amazingly awesome portrayl of Ray Davies' experience in the music industry.
Much better than little brother Dave's book, Ray's suffers from being too ambitious. Still its a great first person narrative from the genius behind one of the best rock bands of the 1960s.
Through a good deal of my teens, and well into my mid 20s, Ray Davies with the rock n roller that always delivered for me. As such, his writing reminds me of my past as well.
Just because I love Ray Davies so much. He could probably publish a list of everything he's had for breakfast for the last thirty years and I would read it. Lovingly.
Read This when it came out years ago, written in a strange style but interesting nonetheless, Ray Davies was definitely a bit money obsessed!
Ray's wit and insecurities shine through. Thank God for his Political Incorrectness!
Oh I love you Ray Davies! He's a genius.
Ahhhh I am not alone
Nicholas
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