Ray is playing those songs again thanks mostly to Brit-Pop stars like Damon Alborn, who finally helped make his most cherished work popular. Another Rock Star who loved that work though was none other than Ray’s sparring partner, Dave.

I learned this in the mid-90’s when I saw Dave perform solo at Slim’s in San Francisco. The rave ups were there, but shockingly also were quieter Ray songs like "Young and Innocent Days" years before Ray would again have the courage to perform material from this period live.

Wait a second. Wasn’t Dave the rocker? Wasn’t Dave going insane all those years that Ray wouldn’t let him turn up his amp?

Hell, yeah he was, but I realized that night that Dave made the sacrifice because he loved what Ray was doing. Dave Davies stuck by his brother when his brother was turning one of the hottest Rock bands in the world into an afterthought. It’s the exact opposite of what Mike Love did when he heard Pet Sounds and Smile, and if you ask me it’s epically noble.

So it’s high time we reappraise Dave Davies. Dave was the guy who stuck knitting needles into his amplifier and invented the distorted power chord, the starting point of both Punk and Heavy Metal. Dave was the first guy around with a Gibson Flying V. Don’t those legendarily “long” Beatles cuts look hilariously quaint now? Well look at Dave because his hair really was dangerous Guns and Roses long. Dave was the guy that got thrown out of school. Dave was the one prowling around town in outlandish dress with a sword. Dave invented hard rock and the sound of "Leda Atomica" is his sound.

Dave and what he gave the world shouldn’t be ignored merely because he stuck by a brother that was even more talented. The first joyful thing a kid does with a guitar is when he figures out how to overdrive his amp and let loose with one of those exhilarating barre chord riffs. It’s usually "Smoke on the Water," but for me it was "All Day and All the Night" and "‘Til The End of The Day." It’s the joyful sound of being 17.

Dave Davies gave us that joy and we should never forget it.

Epilogue

I sent the above to Dave on his web site and less than an hour later I got this awesome response.

"Thanks that's really great/that makes my day. you are my hero Keith.
Bless you
Dave"

To say the least I’m gushing right now.