What If The Kinks Hadn't Been Banned From Touring in the U.S.?

[MisterSchulz]

I always read about how the Kinks were banned from touring in the U.S. for their disruptive tour behavior from 1965-1969, yet no one ever really goes into further analysis of it than just that. At such a crucial period of the British Invasion and rock music in the US, The Kinks were denied access to the American concertgoers. Sure there was still radio, but they missed out on the publicity of a Kinks tour and being in America in general, with its influences and trends. They clearly retreated to a more English-oriented style with Village Green, away from their R&B roots.

What if The Kinks hadn't been banned from touring the US during those crucial years? They are still considered one of the Big Four from Britain (along with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and the Who), but clearly they are fourth of the Four in terms of popularity and critical acclaim. Had they been able to tour the huge US fanbase when music was booming in the 60's, would they be as big as the other three are now? Would their style have been different from being in America and around American bands and sounds?

I love the Kinks, and I just lament the fact that they are always taking a back seat to the other three (even if this is deservedly so). I always think that somehow, their ban on touring was to blame.

[Rockbandfan23467]

Tehy definatly would be more popular.

Does anyone else notice that of the Big 4 of British Invaision:
-Consists of 3 Hard Bands and 1 Pop-Rock Band
-Has only 1 Band that didn't make it to the 80's but that one was the most succesfull?

[OldFogey]

I really don't know what difference it would have made, to be honest. The Kinks still had hits in the U.S. And we were definitely into Village Green, Arthur and Lola when they came out. Actually what may have held them back more than that was the whole business about using the words "Coca" and "Cola" in the Lola.

Plus -- they were becoming more of a songwriter, pop-flavored band at a time when harder rock was taking over. I personally liked it, but most folks were into Zeppelin, etc.

[MisterSchulz]

I mean, what if they made appearances at Monterey Pop and/or Woodstock, both events that made The Who huge and really broke them to the American audience?

It's true though, things were getting harder. The Kinks were ahead of their time with their early singles.

[OldFogey]

I mean, what if they made appearances at Monterey Pop and/or Woodstock, both events that made The Who huge and really broke them to the American audience?

It's true though, things were getting harder. The Kinks were ahead of their time with their early singles.

I hear you -- but here's the rub: the Kinks were not a great live band. I don't think it was their live performances that put them over.

And you're right -- the Kinks went from a sound that was really hard for its time and ahead of its time to more of a pop orientation, more or less in reverse order from the trends.

But I also think that's why their stuff holds up so well.