Ray hinted at a full Kinks comeback in 2018 with this never coming to fruition. Ray shared, “Well, it got shelved because of… other issues. But there’s still material there. When I get time.” Speaking on his inspiration for new tracks, Ray said the songs are stemming from “home demos” that he has been recording for around thirty years.

He shared, “We’ve got loads of songs there in pieces. There are about two or three songs I want to finish, and when they’re finished, I’ll put the whole thing together.”

Ray also delved into the feud between the original band members, speaking on the artistic differences between himself, his brother Dave Davies and drummer Mick Avory. He shared, “We’re just different animals. We found ourselves at a very young age being in each other’s faces. And we had to work with it somehow.”

Speaking on his brother Dave, Ray shared that he would need to “persuade [him] to come on too” if a full reunion were to happen. He continued, “You’ve gotta be careful because he’ll run off in one direction and I’ll [run] in mine… He’s like that. He stays in control.”

Ultimately, The Kinks reuniting hinges on the band being able to put together “a show that gives us the credit we deserve,” according to Ray.

In the absence of new music, The Kinks have recently released a new anthology series to celebrate the 60th anniversary of their formation. The anthology, titled The Journey, is a two-part compilation of their favourite moments from their catalogue. In a press release for The Journey, Ray Davies said, “Ask yourself the question, is this journey really necessary? …Yes!”

Dave Davies also shared his excitement, saying “I’m delighted with what I think is an inspiring selection of timeless and magical Kinks music.”

‘The Journey – Part 2′ is OUT NOW The band have handpicked a selection of songs, celebrating 60 years of The Kinks, one of the most influential rock bands ever! Dig into these iconic tracks and take yourself on a journey https://t.co/M6XuedWlXe pic.twitter.com/ixnXuop12g

— The Kinks (@TheKinks) November 17, 2023

Has ‘The Journey – Part 2′ had you dancing around all weekend like Ray and Mick? https://t.co/M6XuedWTMM pic.twitter.com/leHczMqAeR

— The Kinks (@TheKinks) November 20, 2023

Purchase The Journey here.

Happy Birthday, Mick.
Long may we keep saying this to each other, Happy 80th!
Love, Keith @MickJagger pic.twitter.com/g86Zy8wpZC

— Keith Richards (@officialKeef) July 26, 2023

Jagger is only slightly older than Richards, who will also be celebrating his 80th birthday in December and the legendary guitarist sent his frontman a moving message while picking out a short tune on the piano. Richards said, “long may we keep saying this to each other, happy birthday Mick have another good-in and give me a call and let me know what it’s like.”

Often considered one of the greatest songwriting pairs in rock n roll history, the two musicians met as teenagers while waiting for a train in Dartford where they were both from. On that journey, rock legend laid its foundations as soon after, the duo began the Rolling Stones and embarked on one of the most storied careers in the genre’s rich history.

Thanks so much for all your lovely comments and birthday wishes!! : Mark Seliger pic.twitter.com/XoNN05lYNH — Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) July 26, 2023

Following closely behind British contemporaries The Beatles, The Rolling Stones have been noted for Richard’s unique playing style- having the ability to pluck out some of the best known riffs ever to be recorded and Jagger’s energetic live performances, punctuated by his distinctive vocal style. The partnership made the band one of the most successful musical acts of all time, overseeing the group’s continued success in each of the decades they have been a part of.

Often credited as The Glimmer Twins on Rolling Stones records, Jagger and Richards first penned the song “As Tears Go By” for artist Marianne Faithful, before writing “The Last Time” in 1965-earning the band their first top ten hit. The pair would go on to write such hit songs as “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”,” Jumpin Jack Flash,” and “Brown Sugar.”

Although Richards and Jagger have remained close friends for 73 years, their relationship has often been described as love/hate and the pair have weathered some stormy periods, some of which heralded successfully productive periods immediately after. With Richard’s autobiography Life, released in 2010- which some have claimed hurled barbed criticisms at Jagger-many pondered if the Rolling Stones would continue.

The two have proven in subsequent years that a break in the relationship could not be further from reality as the duo have continued to take The Rolling Stones forward into their 6th decade. And, if Richard’s birthday message is anything to go by, the pair’s friendship is just as strong as ever.

The Stones just keep on rolling! We are thrilled to announce the Rolling Stones 2022 Tour! Titled SIXTY to celebrate 60 special years together-Mick, Keith & Ronnie will be playing dates across Europe this summer including 2 shows at London’s BST Hyde Park:https://t.co/cimRWrDl07 pic.twitter.com/qQDZfDc96K

— The Rolling Stones (@RollingStones) March 14, 2022

The band’s lineup for this string of dates will remain consistent to their last tour, ‘No Filter’ that concluded last year. That means that original members – Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood – will still be taking to the stage, but after the unfortunate passing of the band’s drummer Charlie Watts last August, his position has been covered by Steve Jordan. It seems that Jordan is here to stay too, after an interview with Keith Richards on guitar.com confirmed that the band are actually working on new music together. “It’ll be interesting to find out the dynamics now that Steve’s in the band,” Richards claimed. “It’s sort of metamorphosing into something else.”. He went on to add, “We came up with some, eight or nine new pieces of material. Which is overwhelming by our standards, other times, [writing songs] is like a desert.” Perhaps the anniversary tour will reveal a few new gems? Let’s wait and see.

In celebration of the special dates, award-winning British designer Mark Norton has taken the classic Stones tongue logo and reworked it into something ultimately more psychedelic. The same shape and outline have been maintained, but instead of the classic red colour, a more colourful approach has been taken with lots of pinks and oranges surrounding a floaty blue pattern. After being designed in 1970 by John Pasche, the logo has become synonymous with the band, the classic logo will probably always remain. But the limited-edition merch that will inevitably get sold on the tour could come with this funky new look.

As mentioned before, so far there are only 3 UK dates on the tour. 2 at BST Hyde Park, and one date at Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium. See below the dates for the UK dates:

9/6/22 – Anfield Stadium – Liverpool
25/6 – BST Hyde Park – London
3/7 – BST Hyde Park – London

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The collection is in celebration of the group’s 60th anniversary, the upcoming stamps will pay tribute the group’s musical influence and enduring legacy. The Royal Mail’s website describes the new collection as, “Exclusive Special Stamps and collectables capture ‘The Greatest Rock and Roll Band’ at their majestic best.” The upcoming stamp collection aims to honour the group’s long history of iconic and momentous live performances. Some of The Rolling Stone’s most infamous concerts are portrayed within the collection. The new collection also includes stamps with photographs of the band and several posters from their world tours.

One of the band’s most culturally important and symbolic concerts is included within the collection. Fans often regard the performance at London’s Hyde Park in 1969 as the band’s most significant show, the concert was held just two days after the tragic passing of founding member Brian Jones. The talented musician named the band and is cited as the band’s original leader, Jones was predominately a guitarist but was also versed on various instruments. On 2nd July 1969, Jones was found motionless in his pool and was pronounced dead at the hospital. The 27-year old’s death was attributed to drowning. Within the concert ticketholders witnessed the induction of Mick Taylor who took over on guitar, Taylor was eventually replaced by the group’s current guitarist Ronnie Wood.

Other performances which are honoured within the collection include the group’s set at the Knebworth Festival on 21st August 1976. The crowd in attendance was an estimated 120,000, marking the band’s largest audience at this point in their career. The legendary festival boasted a line up full of the era’s most defining acts including 10cc, Todd Rundgren and Lynyrd Skynyrd. The upcoming collection also pays tribute to the group’s 1995 show in Rotterdam, the concert was part of the band’s The Rollingstone’s Voodoo Lounge world tour and included support from Big Country.

Satisfaction!

Today we proudly unveil our celebration of rock legends The Rolling Stones, with stamps featuring classic live performances.

Explore the range, featuring a number of limited edition collectibles>> https://t.co/j1W9nlup6K pic.twitter.com/9bP2wwMmoE

— Royal Mail (@RoyalMail) January 11, 2022

The Rolling Stones are the fourth band to receive a collection by Royal Mail, the British institution have also released stamp collections in honour of The Beatles, Queen and Pink Floyd. Royal Mail have also immortalised three of music’s most successful solo artists, Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John and David Bowie. The Royal Mail’s director of public affairs and policy, David Gold has provided the following statement concerning The Rolling Stone’s induction, “Few bands in the history of rock have managed to carve out a career as rich and expansive as that of the Rolling Stones. They have created some of modern music’s most iconic and inspirational albums, with ground-breaking live performances to match.”

The collection is available to purchase in various formats and collector’s editions including a limited-edition prestige stamp book, fan sheets from the Hyde Park concert and Voodoo lounge tour, medal covers and framed displays.

Click here to pre-order the stamp collection.

The singer and the guitarist engaged in conversation for the first time on a platform in Dartford station on October 17, 1961, before they formed the Stones the following year. A blue plaque commemorating the moment was unveiled back in 2015.

Jagger and Richards marked the 60th anniversary of that famous meeting last night (October 17) during their gig at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA.

After the show, the Stones shared an image of a special plectrum that featured an image of Jagger and Richards along with the words “17 October 1961-2021 – 60 years on the same train.”

60 years on the same train

Photo by Theodora Richards pic.twitter.com/jr93mWvazB

— The Rolling Stones (@RollingStones) October 18, 2021

The Stones are currently on their rescheduled ‘No Filter’ tour of North America, with the band performing ‘Connection’ earlier this month for the first time in 15 years.

On the tour Last week, Jagger responded to a recent jibe from Paul McCartney about the Stones while on stage. Comparing The Beatles and the Stones, McCartney told the New Yorker: “I’m not sure I should say it, but they’re a blues cover band, that’s sort of what the Stones are. I think our net was cast a bit wider than theirs.”

Jagger addressed McCartney’s comments while on the stage in LA, saying that “There’s so many celebrities here tonight: Megan Fox is here, she’s lovely. Leonardo DiCaprio. Lady Gaga. Kirk Douglas. Paul McCartney is here, he’s going to help us – he’s going to join us in a blues cover later.”