Ray Davies and Chrissie Hynde stand as towering figures in rock history, their paths intertwining in a blend of raw emotion and groundbreaking sound.
Born decades apart yet united by music’s magnetic pull, ray davies, the visionary frontman of The Kinks, and chrissie hynde, the fierce lead singer of The Pretenders, forged a romantic relationship that birthed not just a daughter natalie, but a legacy of haunting duets and covers that still resonate.
Their story began in the gritty underbelly of punk and classic rock, with Hynde and Ray Davies crossing paths amid London’s vibrant scene in the late 1970s. Ray Davies, already a songwriter legend with hits like “You Really Got Me,” spotted chrissie hynde‘s unyielding talent early on.
By January 1979, The Pretenders released their debut single, a cover of ray davies‘s “Stop Your Sobbing,” catapulting hynde and the pretenders into stardom.
This wasn’t mere coincidence; it was the spark of a creative fire. Fast-forward to 2025, ray davies celebrated his 81st birthday with reflections on The Kinks‘ enduring influence, while chrissie hynde announced her duets album Chrissie Hynde & Pals – Duets Special, set for October 17 release, featuring collaborations that echo her trailblazing spirit.
Together, they’ve shaped rock and roll, from BBC sessions to sold-out gigs, proving love and lyrics can outlast time.
Ray Davies and Chrissie Hynde Bio/Wiki
| Aspect | Ray Davies | Chrissie Hynde |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Sir Raymond Douglas Davies | Christine Ellen Hynde |
| Date of Birth | June 21, 1944 | September 7, 1951 |
| Birthplace | Muswell Hill, London, England | Akron, Ohio, USA |
| Nationality | British | American-British |
| Profession | Musician, singer, songwriter, actor | Musician, singer, songwriter |
| Family | Parents: Frederick and Anne Davies; Siblings: 7 including brother Dave; Children: 4, including daughter Natalie with Chrissie Hynde; Marriages: 3 (Rasa Dausuve, Yvonne Lawson, no children from last two) | Parents: Dolores and Melville Hynde; Children: 2 daughters—Yasmin (with Jim Kerr) and Natalie (with Ray Davies); Marriages: 2 (Jim Kerr, divorced 1990) |
| Career Highlights | Co-founder of The Kinks (1964); Hits like “Lola” and “Waterloo Sunset”; Knighted in 2017; Solo albums including The Kinks Choral Collection (2009); Memoir Americana (2013); 2025 reflections on Kinks’ US ban sparking creativity | Founder of The Pretenders (1978); Albums like Learning to Crawl (1984); Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee (2005); Solo work Stockholm (2014); 2025 album Duets Special with Rufus Wainwright, k.d. lang; Vegan advocacy and PETA involvement |
Ray Davies emerged from post-war London as a prodigy of observation. Growing up in north london‘s Muswell Hill, he absorbed jazz from his parents and skiffle from the streets.
By 1964, davies of the kinks co-founded The Kinks with brother dave davies, whose guitar solo on “You Really Got Me” ripped through airwaves. This kink in rock’s fabric—banjo riffs meets distorted riffs—defined an era.
Ray Davies‘s songwriting genius lay in everyday tales. “Dedicated Follower of Fashion” mocked mod culture, while “Village Green Preservation Society” mourned lost England.
The Kinks faced a U.S ban from 1965 to 1969, fueling introspective gems like Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) (1969). Ray Davies, the primary songwriter, penned over 200 songs, earning CBE honors.
In 2025, ray davies revisited that ban in interviews, crediting it for breakthroughs like Lola Versus Powerman (1970). His lead vocalist role evolved into theater, directing Twentieth Century Blues (1980). Ray Davies‘s influence? From beatles nods to paul mccartney‘s praise, he’s the poet of suburbia.
Chrissie Hynde Akron Roots: From Punk Dreams to Global Stage
Chrissie Hynde‘s fire ignited in Akron, a rust-belt town pulsing with punk energy. Born to a phone book manager father and former model mother, she devoured rock and roll via ringo starr and The Beatles.
At Kent State, protests shaped her activism; post-grad, she chased dreams to London in 1973.
Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders hustled—writing for NME, clerking at Malcolm McLaren‘s shop. By 1978, she formed The Pretenders, blending new wave with grit.
Their self-titled album (1979) exploded with “Brass in Pocket,” chrissie hynde‘s vocal a siren call. Tragedies struck—guitarist James Honeyman-Scott died in 1982—but Learning to Crawl (1984) roared back.
Chrissie hynde‘s lead singer ethos? Empowerment. She penned “Back on the Chain Gang” amid loss, touring relentlessly. In 2025, her new album Duets Special spotlights covers with Lucinda Williams, affirming her as rock’s enduring rebel.
Fateful Encounter: When Ray Davies Met Chrissie Hynde in London
Ray Davies and Chrissie Hynde‘s worlds collided in 1978‘s London haze. Ray Davies, post-The Kinks‘s State of Confusion tour, frequented Crouch End haunts.
Chrissie Hynde, fresh from Akron via Athens, Georgia’s punk circuit, networked at The Roundhouse. A mutual friend—nick lowe—introduced them at a gig.
Sparks flew over shared cynicism for excess. Hynde and ray davies bonded on songwriter crafts; he admired her demo tapes, she his davies song wit. By late 1978, ray davies produced The Pretenders‘ early sessions, infusing punk with classic rock polish.
This meeting wasn’t serendipity. Ray Davies saw in chrissie hynde a kindred spirit—defiant, melodic. Their late-night talks at BBC studios birthed ideas, foreshadowing deeper ties. In 2025, ray davies recalls it as “fate’s riff,” a nod to how one encounter rewrote trajectories.
The Romantic Relationship: Love Amid Rock Chaos
Hynde and Ray Davies‘ romantic relationship bloomed in 1979, a whirlwind of stolen moments. Chrissie hynde toured U.S with The Pretenders, but letters and calls bridged oceans. Ray Davies, navigating The Kinks‘s internal storms, found solace in her fire.
They nearly wed, but rock’s toll—visa issues, feuds—strained bonds. Ray Davies‘s solo album Return to Waterloo* (1980) echoed longing, while chrissie hynde channeled turmoil into Pretenders II (1980). Rumors swirled: a secret wedding? No, but passion endured.
By 1983, daughter natalie arrived, grounding them. Parents’ joys mixed with splits; chrissie hynde later married jim kerr of Simple Minds. Yet, ray davies and chrissie hynde co-parented amicably. In 2025, ray davies reflects on it as “rock’s truest chord,” resilient as ever.
Daughter Natalie: The Heart of Ray Davies and Chrissie Hynde Legacy
Daughter natalie, born 1983, embodies ray davies and chrissie hynde‘s union. Natalie Ray Hynde grew up shuttling Crouch End and London, absorbing parents’ worlds.
Chrissie hynde raised her solo post-split, instilling activism—natalie glued to a protester in 2014‘s fracking demo, earning “besetting” charges.
Ray Davies doted from afar, sharing songwriting tales. Natalie pursued modeling, then advocacy, mirroring chrissie hynde‘s PETA ties. In 2009, she brokered parents’ duet “Postcard From London,” a nostalgic gem on ray davies‘s The Kinks Choral Collection.
Parents’ pride shines: natalie‘s resilience echoes their grit. By 2025, she’s a quiet force, supporting chrissie hynde‘s vegan causes while honoring ray davies‘s legacy. Their daughter natalie? Proof love’s melody lingers.
Musical Synergy: The Pretenders Tribute to Ray Davies Songs
The Pretenders‘ debut pulsed with ray davies reverence. Released in January 1979, “Stop Your Sobbing”—a 1964 kinks’ b-side—became their anthem. Chrissie hynde‘s vocal twist added snarl, hitting UK charts at No. 31.
This cover sparked more. I Go to Sleep, another davies song, graced The Pretenders‘ album (1980), its dreamy haze fitting punk edges. Ray Davies beamed, calling it “rebirth.” Hynde and the pretenders infused The Kinks‘ wit with urgency.
Stop your sobbing endures—live versions at 1980 gigs mesmerized. Chrissie hynde credits ray davies for melody lessons, blending his classic rock with her fire. In 2025, remasters highlight this bridge, timeless as ever.
Iconic Duet: Postcard From London and Beyond
“Postcard From London,” 2009‘s duet, captures ray davies and chrissie hynde‘s alchemy. Penned by ray davies, its choral sweep mourns lost youth. Chrissie hynde‘s harmonies add ache, recorded in Crouch End after daughter natalie‘s nudge.
This duet healed old wounds. Ray Davies‘s ray davies’ baritone weaves with chrissie hynde’s alto, evoking London fog. Featured on The Kinks Choral Collection, it charted modestly but won critics—Rolling Stone hailed its “tender grit.”
Other nods? The Pretenders‘ “Room Full of Mirrors” (1987) echoes kink vibes. In 2025, chrissie hynde‘s Duets Special revives spirit, sans ray davies, but his shadow looms. Their duet? A postcard from love’s archive.
The Kinks Enduring Kink: Ray Davies as Frontman Visionary
The Kinks, under ray davies‘s helm, twisted rock band norms. Formed 1964 with dave davies, mick avory, and pete quaife, they banned from U.S for rowdiness—ray davies fought a union rep onstage.
Kink classics like “Sunny Afternoon” (1966) won Ivor Novello awards. Ray Davies, frontman, staged Preservation acts (1973-74), blending theater and tune. Keyboardist ian gibbons joined 1980, stabilizing till 1996 split.
Ray davies‘s post-kinks’ path? Solo album Working Man’s Café (2007), reunion teases in 2018. 2025 brings ray davies‘s Arsenal tales, linking youth to now. His kink? Narrative depth, inspiring eric clapton to mccartney.
Chrissie Hynde Pretenders Empire: From Demo to Stadiums
Chrissie hynde built The Pretenders from scraps. 1978 demo with guitarist pete farndon caught dave hill‘s ear, signing to Real Records. Pretenders (1979) sold millions, “Back on the Chain Gang” topping 1982 charts.
Lineup flux—farndon‘s 1983 death—tested resolve. Chrissie hynde, lead vocalist, recruited billy duffy, birthing Get Close (1986). Married jim kerr brought stability; Yasmin Paris born 1985.
Hynde and the pretenders evolved: Last of the Independents (1994) with Ray Davies nods. 2025‘s Relentless tour sells out, chrissie hynde‘s voice defying age. Her empire? Punk heart, rock soul.
Ray Davies and Chrissie Hynde: Shared Influences and Crossovers
Ray davies and chrissie hynde drew from Beatles shadows—ray davies‘s Waterloo Sunset rivals paul mccartney‘s whimsy. Chrissie hynde covered The Kinks early, crediting ray davies for melody craft.
Crossovers abound: Sid vicious admired The Kinks; chrissie hynde jammed with eric clapton. Onstage at 1980 gigs, they’d swap tales. Collaborate they did—ray davies guested on Pretenders tracks.
In 2025, ray davies praises chrissie hynde‘s duets, linking their eras. Shared? Critic-defying authenticity, from july 1979 charts to now.
What Makes Ray Davies and Chrissie Hynde Music Timeless?
Ray davies‘s songs age like fine wine—Village Green (1968) now prophetic. Chrissie hynde‘s snarls in “Don’t Get Me Wrong” (1986) cut fresh. Their pretender to punk throne? Blending vulnerability with bite.
Timelessness stems from truth: ray davies‘s suburbia laments, chrissie hynde‘s feminist fire. Album sales? The Kinks over 100 million; The Pretenders 25 million. 2025 streams surge, proving resonance.
| Aspect | Ray Davies | Chrissie Hynde |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5’11” (180 cm) | 5’3″ (160 cm) |
| Weight | 165 lbs (75 kg) | 130 lbs (59 kg) |
| Eye Color | Blue | Green |
| Hair Color | Grey (formerly dark brown) | Blonde/Grey (iconic choppy style) |
| Body Measurements | Chest 40″, Waist 32″, Hips 38″ (approx.) | 34-28-36 (approx.) |
Ray davies keeps it classic online, his Facebook page buzzing with 84K followers. Posts tease reunion whispers, Kinks lore. No heavy IG presence, but fan accounts like @ray_davies_ (2K followers) share clips.
Chrissie hynde thrives digitally—Instagram (@chrissiehyndemusic, 79K followers) hypes Duets Special, vegan tips. Facebook (335K followers) streams live gigs; X (@ChrissieHynde) drops tour dates.
Recent Ventures: Ray Davies and Chrissie Hynde in 2025
2025 shines for the duo. Ray davies dishes on The Kinks‘ U.S ban in podcasts, linking it to creative peaks. His memoir updates tease reunion with former kinks like dave davies. Arsenal loyalty? He flew back mid-tour for matches.
Chrissie hynde drops Duets Special October 17, dueting Rufus Wainwright on “Me & Mrs. Jones.” The Pretenders tour Europe, her vocal fierce. Collaborate rumors? None with ray davies, but natalie hints at family jams.
Legacy Questions: How Did Ray Davies Influence Chrissie Hynde?
Ray davies mentored subtly—stop your sobbing cover taught chrissie hynde melody’s power. She calls him “the great observer,” shaping her lyrics’ bite. Influence? From The Kinks‘ narratives to The Pretenders‘ edge.
Fun Facts about Ray Davies and Chrissie Hynde
The Pretenders‘ first single was a cover of ray davies‘s “Stop Your Sobbing,” kickstarting their career with his blessing.
Daughter natalie played matchmaker for their 2009 duet “Postcard From London,” easing post-breakup tensions.
Ray davies and chrissie hynde never married, despite rumors of a secret ceremony during their 1980s romance.
Natalie Hynde once superglued herself to a protester in a 2014 anti-fracking stunt, echoing her mother’s activist roots.
Chrissie hynde nearly joined The Kinks as a backing singer in the 1970s, a “what if” that fans still ponder.
Ray davies produced early Pretenders demos in 1978, blending his songwriting touch before their romance ignited.
Their daughter natalie modeled for Vivienne Westwood, tying back to chrissie hynde‘s early London fashion days.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ray Davies and Chrissie Hynde
Did Ray Davies and Chrissie Hynde ever get married?
No, they never married despite a passionate romantic relationship in the 1980s and shared daughter natalie.
Who is their daughter Natalie, and what does she do?
Daughter natalie Ray Hynde, born 1983, is a model and activist known for environmental protests like the 2014 fracking demo.
What famous duet did Ray Davies and Chrissie Hynde record?
Their standout duet is “Postcard From London” from 2009, a nostalgic track on ray davies‘s choral album.
How did The Pretenders start covering Ray Davies songs?
The Pretenders debuted with ray davies‘s “Stop Your Sobbing” as their 1979 single, produced with his input.
What is Chrissie Hynde’s latest project in 2025?
Chrissie hynde releases Duets Special on October 17, featuring covers with artists like k.d. lang and Rufus Wainwright.
Why was The Kinks banned from the U.S., as Ray Davies recalls?
The Kinks faced a four-year U.S ban starting 1965 due to onstage fights, which ray davies says sparked creative gold in 2025 interviews.
How did Ray Davies and Chrissie Hynde first meet?
They met in London 1978 through mutual friends like nick lowe, bonding over songwriting before romance.
Conclusion: Ray Davies and Chrissie Hynde Unfading Harmony
Ray Davies and Chrissie Hynde weave a tapestry of rebellion and romance, their lives a symphony of highs and heartaches.
From The Kinks‘ kinky riffs to The Pretenders‘ pretender anthems, they’ve redefined rock and roll. Daughter natalie anchors their story, while duets like “Postcard From London” whisper eternity.
In 2025, ray davies‘s wisdom and chrissie hynde‘s fire burn bright—proof icons evolve. Their legacy? A call to create boldly, love fiercely. As ray davies might pen, they’re the sunset over Waterloo, eternal and true.
