"Kevin Ayers, renowned English songwriter, struggled to fit in with a lackluster music group, finding their output mediocre and disappointing"
Kevin Ayers and Jimi Hendrix: A Remarkable Musical Journey
Kevin Ayers, a British musician born in Herne Bay, had an extraordinary career that took him from the squalor of London's squats to sharing stages with music legends like Jimi Hendrix.
Ayers' musical journey began in the 1960s when he lived in Majorca with the poet Robert Graves. It was during this time that he honed his skills and developed his unique sound. In 1968, Ayers found himself as a member of Soft Machine, a band chosen by none other than Jimi Hendrix to accompany him on a three-legged tour of America.
During this tour, Soft Machine and Ayers shared opening status alongside Eric Burdon and The Animals, performing on stages with artists such as Todd Rundgren, Albert King, the Troggs, and MC5. Ayers formed a close relationship with Hendrix during the tour; they socialized frequently, dined together, and even lived on the same floor of the Chelsea Hotel in New York.
Hendrix appreciated Ayers and Soft Machine because they were unconventional and not seen as commercial pop threats. Ayers described the experience as amazing, noting that it was his first trip to the United States and that the tour was notable for its cash-only transactions and the camaraderie between the musicians.
After the tour, Ayers landed on his feet at EMI imprint Harvest Records in 1969. He composed the Joy Of A Toy album that same year, marking the beginning of his solo career. Ayers' Harvest stablemates were in disarray by 1967, providing him with an opportunity to shine.
In 1974, Ayers found himself in a bizarre supergroup featuring Velvet Underground legends John Cale and Nico and Roxy Music's Brian Eno. However, Ayers felt out of place in this ensemble, stating it was all rushed out.
In 1969, Ayers began a chronicle of his solo career with the album Joy Of A Toy, a journey that would continue until his final Harvest Records album, That's What You Get Babe. This musical journey was compiled in the album Songs For Insane Times, released by Ayers in 2008, highlighting nearly 40 years of his solo recordings.
The album Songs For Insane Times features collaborations with Soft Machine, Syd Barrett, Elton John, and a host of English players from the 'alternative' scene. Ayers stated that he is a troubadour and needs the energy that love gives one, the sex and the affection. This passion for music and life is evident in every note he played and every song he wrote.
References: 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Ayers
- Despite starting in squalid London squats, Kevin Ayers, a renowned British musician, once shared stages with music legends like Jimi Hendrix.
- In 1968, Ayers became a member of Soft Machine, a band handpicked by Jimi Hendrix for a three-legged tour of America.
- During the tour, Soft Machine and Ayers opened for artists such as Eric Burdon and The Animals, Todd Rundgren, Albert King, the Troggs, and MC5.
- Hendrix admired Ayers and Soft Machine for their unconventional sound and non-commercial appeal.
- Ayers' first solo album, Joy Of A Toy, was released in 1969 on EMI imprint Harvest Records.
- In 1974, Ayers joined a supergroup that included Velvet Underground legends John Cale and Nico, and Roxy Music's Brian Eno, but felt out of place in the ensemble.
- Ayers' solo career spanned nearly 40 years, with his final Harvest Records album being That's What You Get Babe.
- The compilation album Songs For Insane Times, released in 2008, showcases nearly four decades of Ayers' solo recordings and features collaborations with Soft Machine, Syd Barrett, Elton John, and English alternative musicians.
- Ayers described himself as a troubadour, needing the energy that love gives, the sex, and the affection, shown clearly in every note he played and every song he wrote.
- Throughout his career, Kevin Ayers made a significant impact on the music scene, particularly in classic rock, prog, and alternative genres, whilst also entertaining audiences with his unique sound and unconventional approach.
