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Dave Davies reignites The Kinks’ feud with The Beatles: “George Harrison was the only one I really liked”
Dave Davies of The Kinks has revived memories of the band's old rivalry with The Beatles, saying George Harrison was the only member of the Fab Four he genuinely liked, while suggesting John Lennon disliked The Kinks. The comments, made at the launch of a new art exhibition in London, quickly drew attention as a rekindling of a decades-old feud, though Davies later clarified on social media that he remains a fan of The Beatles and appreciates Paul McCartney's past praise of The Kinks.
Davies made the remarks at the opening of "The Kinks: Brothers", an exhibition he and his brother Ray have created with painter Christian Furr at Gibson Garage London, running until 6 September. The rivalry dates back to August 1964, when The Kinks supported The Beatles in Bournemouth days before releasing their breakthrough single "You Really Got Me", with Lennon reportedly dismissing them as a mere warm-up act. Dave and Ray Davies, who last performed together in 2015, have recently said they are "getting on great" and would not rule out a Kinks reunion.
In short
- Dave Davies says George Harrison was his favourite Beatle
- He claims John Lennon disliked The Kinks
- Comments came at launch of new Kinks art exhibition in London
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Pop culture history benefits from honest, personal accounts of how musicians experienced their era and navigated professional relationships with contemporaries. Dave Davies has every right to share genuine recollections of interactions with Beatles members, and revisiting this documented rivalry adds authenticity and nuance to understanding the vibrant, competitive 1960s music scene. The exhibition provides natural context for such discussion, and The Kinks' historical contributions deserve open acknowledgment alongside the Beatles' legacy.
The case against
Most Beatles members are now deceased and unable to respond to or defend themselves, raising legitimate questions about the fairness of publicly revisiting criticism decades later. Continually resurfacing this rivalry risks overshadowing both bands' genuine artistic achievements with tabloid narratives and keeps old personal disputes alive unnecessarily. Rather than rehashing decades-old tensions with musicians who cannot reply, greater dignity lies in celebrating what both bands contributed to music history.
Explained simply
The Kinks and The Beatles were among the most successful British rock bands of the 1960s. Both achieved massive popularity and created music that became hugely influential, though their relationship was marked by early tension and rivalry.
The two bands first clashed in August 1964 when The Kinks performed as a support act before The Beatles at a concert in Bournemouth, just days before The Kinks released their breakthrough single "You Really Got Me". John Lennon reportedly dismissed The Kinks as merely a warm-up act, sparking a rivalry that persisted for years between the two groups.
The friction reflected the intense competition of the 1960s British rock scene, when several bands were competing for attention and influence. Though both went on to hugely successful careers, the early tension left a mark on musical history. Comments from surviving members about that period still attract interest today because both bands remain culturally significant and their legacies continue to resonate.