The music of nearly every successful rock band from the past five decades can often be traced back to the revolutionary sounds of the swinging sixties.
It was during this era that rock music was handed down to a rebellious new generation, who channeled their angst through both fashion and pop music. Countless iconic bands emerged in the 1960s, leaving an indelible mark on the industry—none more so than The Kinks.
Formed in 1963, The Kinks helped shape a raw, high-energy rock and roll sound, defined by their aggressive use of guitar distortion and punchy, concise songs.
Tracks like “You Really Got Me” and “All Day and All of the Night” set the tone for future generations of artists, inspiring musicians to embrace stripped-down song structures. Their innovative guitar distortion, achieved by slashing their amplifiers with razor blades, forever changed the landscape of alternative rock.
Without The Kinks, it’s hard to imagine the existence of punk, grunge, or alternative rock. Fronted by Ray Davies, the band exhibited remarkable diversity, crafting everything from rebellious anthems like “You Really Got Me” to romantic classics such as “Waterloo Sunset.”
Their influence stretched far and wide, impacting everyone from the Sex Pistols to arena rock bands like Aerosmith.
The Kinks’ reach extended into the 1970s, where they caught the attention of Aerosmith’s Joe Perry. As Perry recalled in an interview with Guitar World, his introduction to The Kinks came through a friend who shared their records.
Among them was a rare live recording that left a lasting impression on the young guitarist. Perry admired how The Kinks could both forge new musical paths and breathe fresh life into older songs.
One track in particular, “Milk Cow Blues,” originally recorded in the 1930s by blues pioneer Kokomo Arnold, became a key influence. The Kinks’ version of the blues classic was a standout for Perry, who borrowed from their arrangement for Aerosmith’s 1977 album Draw the Line.
Reflecting on The Kinks’ take, Perry said, “The way they did it was totally different from anywhere else,” and he used that inspiration when crafting Aerosmith’s rendition of the song.
While some may debate whether Aerosmith’s version measures up to The Kinks’, it’s undeniable that the London band’s enduring influence helped shape the sound of rock across decades, cementing their place as one of the most innovative groups of the swinging sixties.
