Preview: Music to Your Ears — The Kinks’ ‘Arthur’
Legendary British rock band The Kinks are revered for their early classics: proto-garage rockers like “All Day and all of the Night” and “You Really Got Me.” Their hits continued into the ‘70s (“Lola”) and even the 1980s (“Come Dancing”), and the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
Primary songwriter Ray Davies has always displayed a distinctly English perspective. The group’s seventh studio album, 1969’s Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) is today held in high esteem among critics.
The Kinks turned out many critically-acclaimed and popular records, but they were about more that hit songs. Ray Davies crafted many conceptually-oriented, rock-opera type albums.Arthur is among his best. As originally conceived, Arthur was planned as the soundtrack for a TV special set to air in late 1969. Beset by scheduling and financing challenges, the TV special was never completed nor aired. But the conceptually-oriented Arthur LP arrived in shops in October 1969, and a single from the record, “Victoria” made it onto the UK charts
More than a half century later, Asheville-based musician and songwriter Chris Tullar has drawn upon Arthur to create a wholly new work, one that is also a concept album, Not Arthur. For this month’s Music to Your Ears, Chris will join Bill to discuss the influential Kinks album and talk about how he found inspiration within it.
Join us for live music and lively discussion as we explore The Kinks’ Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire). Music to Your Ears takes place on Wednesday, July 3 at 7pm at the Asheville Guitar Bar in the historic River Arts District.
ABOUT THE DISCUSSION SERIES
Music to Your Ears is Bill Kopp’s monthly discussion series hosted by Asheville Guitar Bar and sponsored by AshevilleFM. On the first Wednesday of each month, music enthusiasts gather to discuss an important album, artist or musical movement. An interactive evening, Music to Your Ears isn’t a lecture; it’s a discussion led by experts and designed to enrich the listening experience. The character of each session is defined by the participants (that’s you). The conversation goes where the attendees take it: the person seated next to you might have attended Woodstock or seen The Beatles in concert. The insights of everyone in the room are what make each and every Music to Your Ears a unique experience.
WHAT: Music to Your Ears Discussion Series
WHO: Discussion led by music journalist/author Bill Kopp with special guest Chris Tullar
WHERE: Asheville Guitar Bar, 122 Riverside Dr., Suite D, Asheville
WHEN: Wednesday July 3 @ 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (doors open 6:30) $10 at the door / SEATING IS LIMITED
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day for several years). The more than 5000 interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- some 40 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 30 Great Concept Albums is available now. Read even more about him here.