Kinks brothers blast plans to strip pub of band's 'shrine'

nlnews@archant.co.uk
21 March 2007

KINKS line-up (from left) Mick Avory, Dave Davies, Peter Quaife and Ray Davies

THE founding brothers of British guitar legends The Kinks have both spoken out against any move to strip the pub they first performed in of its shrine to the band.

In a world exclusive, Ray Davies told the Journal he was "genuinely disappointed" to read the so-called "Kinks Corner" in The Clissold Arms pub could be auctioned off when it gets turned into an upmarket gastro-pub.

THE CLISSOLD ARMS – home to the ""Kinks Corner

Brother Dave Davies asked: "Have they [the tenants] lost their dignity, sense of local history and English heritage?"

Both musicians got in touch with the Journal separately to oppose the loss.

The pub, on Fortis Green, Muswell Hill, has been closed since last year, but the Kinks Corner has attracted fans from around the world, who have been devastated by the news and bombarded the Journal with letters.

In an unprecedented move, Ray wrote an open plea to the pub's new tenant Caroline Jones, director of Jobo Developments Ltd, urging her "to retain some sort of reference to The Kinks" where so much of their history is rooted.

Ray says when he first heard of the Kinks Corner he was "touched and very proud".

He wrote: "My brother and I grew up literally yards away in Denmark Terrace, and while much of our early music symbolised the revolutionary spirit of the 60s, we always referenced our community in albums such as Muswell Hillbillies and The Village Green Preservation Society.

"Many of my songs were drawn from characters I observed in the area."

Ray pledged to "do all I can to help" if the memorabilia, including rare signed vinyl and photographs donated by fans, gets the boot.

He added: "Whatever the outcome, one thing is certain; the Kinks and their music will always be inextricably linked with north London and the Fortis Green area in particular. Long after gastronomic styles have come and gone."

Ray's brother Dave had a dig at the "gastro-pub" image the new tenants say isn't compatible with its rock'n'roll history, adopting a mock-French accent at one point.

He added: "Why on Earth can't they have their posh gastro grub and still keep a part of it for tourists, Kinks fans and the curious?"

Last month Caroline Jones, director of Jobo Developments, said: "We haven't made a decision yet to be honest. We have inherited it. I have no idea if we can trace it back.

"It [the new pub] will be quite different, and it won't be the kind of place you would expect to see it.

"If [getting rid of the memorabilia] is the case then an auction is the kind of thing we would do."

Despite repeated efforts by the Journal, no-one at Jobo Developments has returned our calls since.

HAVE YOUR SAY - Should the new tenants keep the Kinks Corner? Email us nlnews@archant.co.uk



THE STARS SPEAK OUT...

RAY SAYS:

"I was genuinely disappointed to read that the new owners of The Clissold Arms in Fortis Green were not going to continue displaying any reference of the Kinks when the pub is refurbished.

"It's a pity there will be no local evidence or mention of the group who played in the old back room of The Clissold Arms.

"From what I understand, none of The Kinks were involved in putting up the original display.

"It was something that was put together by Kinks fans, interested locals and supportive landlords who managed the pub over the years.

"When I first heard about the 'Kinks Corner' in the pub I was touched and proud.

"My brother and I grew up yards away in Denmark Terrace, and while much of our early music symbolised the revolutionary spirit of the 60s, we always referenced our community in albums such as Muswell Hillbillies and The Village Green Preservation Society.

"Many of my songs were drawn from characters I observed in the area. I have to this day kept my connections in Fortis Green, East Finchley Muswell Hill and Highgate.

"I would urge whoever has bought the pub to retain some sort of reference to The Kinks in the premises so that Kinks fans from all over the world can retain it as a sense of 'place'.

"My family used the pub, and in many respects Kinks fans are a family and would hopefully continue to patronise the pub in its new form.

"The memorabilia itself deserves to be seen. It celebrates not just the Kinks but serves as a reminder of the community we came from.

"A few years ago when I was in New Orleans, I visited what used to be [famed 1950s-60s R&B recording engineer] Cosimo Matassa's studio in the French quarter.

"The premises is now a launderette, but there is an area dedicated to Cosimo and many of the blues and early rock acts he produced there.

"I'm sure if an historic reference can be displayed in a launderette in New Orleans it can be achieved in a gastropub in north London.

"If this small exhibit does not continue then I hope that interested parties find another location for it.

"I will do all I can to help. Whatever the outcome, one thing is certain; the Kinks and their music will always be linked with north London and the Fortis Green. Long after gastronomic styles have come and gone."

DAVE SAYS:

"Yes, it is upsetting. Why on Earth can't they have their posh gastro grub and still keep a part of it for tourists, Kinks fans and the curious?

"Surely it would help bring people into the area as well as the 'gastro' posh people. Pardon moi monsewer my French is non trei bonne...

"I know my ole man always said they used to water down the beer, but this is going too far.

"I am sure if this had been The Cavern and The Beatles' history being disturbed/got rid of, it would have been brought to the attention of the House of Commons, the Lords and the Queen herself.

"Just wanted add my fuel, and disdain, to the argument. What's the matter with these people? Have they lost their dignity, sense of local history and English heritage?