All Day and All of the Night

The Zoo Crew is live at THE ZOO radio station, spinning the raw energy of "All Day and All of the Night" by The Kinks from their 1994 live album To the Bone for all you Zoo Freaks out there. This track, originally released as a single in 1964, is a cornerstone of rock history. The Kinks recorded it in just three takes in September 1964, with Dave Davies’ iconic power-chord riff—created by slashing his amp’s speaker cones with a razor—laying the groundwork for punk and heavy metal. In a 2006 concert at the Mountain Winery, Ray Davies shared that the record company initially rejected the song, calling it “too blue-collar” and comparing the guitar sound to a dog’s bark, but its raw edge made it a No. 2 UK hit and No. 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Posts on X from @TheKinks in 2019 celebrated the song’s 55th recording anniversary, noting its chart success and enduring fan love, with many Zoo Freaks still ranking it among their top Kinks tracks.

Another wild tidbit comes from producer Shel Talmy, who described the young Ray Davies as “complex, conflicted, angry” but a brilliant songwriter, while praising Dave’s underrated guitar work. The song’s influence is massive—bands like Metallica, Van Halen, and The Clash have cited it as a touchstone, and covers by Quiet Riot for their 1995 album Down to the Bone and Scorpions in 2011 show its staying power. There’s also a debate among fans on KindaKinks.net about the guitar solo, with some speculating a session player might’ve stepped in, though Dave’s razor-slashed amp sound defined its gritty vibe. Zoo Freaks, you can feel that primal energy in the To the Bone live version, recorded partly at Konk Studios in 1994 with a small audience, capturing The Kinks in their unplugged glory.

The Kinks began in London in 1963, formed by brothers Ray and Dave Davies alongside Pete Quaife. Born from the gritty British rhythm and blues scene, they tapped into American R&B and rock influences, quickly rising during the British Invasion. Their third single, “You Really Got Me,” penned by Ray and fueled by Dave’s distorted guitar, hit No. 1 in the UK and cracked the US Top 10, setting the stage for “All Day and All of the Night.” Ray’s sharp, satirical songwriting and the band’s raw live energy made them standouts, though a 1965 US touring ban limited their American reach until 1969. Despite this, albums like Face to Face and The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society cemented their legacy as chroniclers of English life, influencing punk, Britpop, and beyond. Ray’s knack for blending melody with social commentary earned him the title “Godfather of Britpop” from fans on Facebook.

Stay connected with The Kinks through their official website, where you’ll find tour updates and discography details. Follow them on Facebook for nostalgic posts and fan discussions, Instagram for rare photos and album art, and X for throwbacks like their 2022 post about “You Really Got Me.” Fans can dive deeper at KindaKinks.net, a treasure trove of news, lyrics, and chords run by Dave Emlen, or join the Ray Davies - The Kinks Fan Club on Facebook for lively chats with fellow Zoo Freaks. Keep it locked to THE ZOO, where we’re spinning classics all day and all of the night!