ABSTRACT
While Ray Davies spent most of 1976 writing and recording the Kinks’ Arista debut, the British punk scene was gaining momentum and fast becoming rock’s new movement. In July, the Kinks recorded backing tracks for “Brother” and “Juke Box Music” as the Ramones staged their legendary July 4 concert at London’s Roundhouse with members of the Sex Pistols, Clash, and the Damned in attendance. In September, the Kinks recorded “Full Moon” and “Life Goes On” just as the 100 Club Punk Festival featured the Buzzcocks, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and the Sex Pistols, with then fan Sid Vicious in the middle of a brawl which led to a ban of punk from the club. In early December as Davies made a last minute decision to include “Mr. Big Man” on Sleepwalker, the drunken Sex Pistols gave their infamously provocative and profane interview on Bill Grundy’s Today show, which led to outraged headlines throughout England, cancellations of Sex Pistols performances, and Grundy’s two-week suspension.
