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Ayers, Kevin

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The Original Mr. Cool. An original on the Canterbury Scene, Kevin Ayers spent the 60s with Wilde Flowers and Soft Machine before retiring to the comforts of Deià, Mallorca. Coaxed away by Peter Jenner, Ayers recorded a quartet of albums for Harvest label, beginning with the amazing Joy of a Toy. His band, the Whole Wide World, comprised of David Bedford, Lol Coxhill and Mike Oldfield, among many other luminaries, but his work was strictly pop, albiet one combined with an absurdist's sense of humor. By the mid-70s, Ayers was under the care of Elton John's management and Island Records, yet success was ever elusive, and probably planned that way. His later career wasn't really, as he retreated further from the public eye, but records and tours appeared in the 80s, 90s, and the 00s, standing more as postcards so we wouldn't forget, rather than true attempts at a restart. His final 2007 solo album saw a much younger generation lending a helping hand, but a lifetime of excess had already taken its toll. Ayers passed away in early 2013. He stands one of the most original singer-songwriters and persona of the progressive era.

Founded: 1944

Location: Herne Bay, England

Website: Kevin Ayers

Albums

Original Releases
Title Recording Type Datesort icon Average Rating
Strawberry Bricks Entry Joy Of A Toy Studio 1969
3
Strawberry Bricks Entry Shooting At The Moon Studio 1970-10
3.5
  Whatevershebringswesing Studio 1972-01
4.5
  Bananamour Studio 1973-05
4
Strawberry Bricks Entry The Confessions Of Dr. Dream And Other Stories Studio 1974-05
4.666665
  Sweet Deceiver Studio 1975-03
3
  Odd Ditties Compilation 1976-03
4
Strawberry Bricks Entry Yes We Have No Mañanas, So Get Your Mañanas Today Studio 1977-03
0
  Rainbow Takeaway Studio 1978-04
4
  That's What You Get Babe Studio 1980
0
  Diamond Jack And The Queen Of Pain Studio 1983
0
  Deià...Vu Studio 1984
0
  As Close As You Think Studio 1986-06-00
0
  Falling Up Studio 1988
0
  Still Life With Guitar Studio 1992
0
  Turn The Lights Down! Live 1999
4
  Alive In California Live 2004
0
  The Unfairground Studio 2007
4
Compilations, Reissues, etc.
Title Recording Type Datesort icon Average Rating
  The Garden Of Love Live 1997
0
  Banana Follies Live 1998
0
  Too Old To Die Young Live 1998
0
  The BBC Sessions 1970- 1976 Live 2005
0
  Hyde Park Free Concert 1970 Live 2007
0
  Songs For Insane Times - An Anthology 1969-1980 Compilation 2008
0
  What More Can I Say ... Studio 2008
0