Tayyaba
The keyboardist for the British rock band The Kinks, John Gosling, has died. He was 75. Ray and Dave Davies founded The Kinks in the 1960s, and Gosling joined the band as a keyboard player in 1970. The band revealed the performer’s death in a statement uploaded to their official social media account, with the musicians offering their respects in their individually as well.
What did ‘The Kinks’ say about John Gosling’s death?
The announcement on the band’s official social media accounts simply read, “We are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of John Gosling. We are sending our condolences to John’s wife and family.” No cause of death was announced. The Kinks drummer, Mick Avory, also wrote a tribute to the late musician: “Today we lost a dear friend and colleague, he was a great musician and had a fantastic sense of humour… which made him popular member of the band, he leaves us with some happy memories. God Bless him….” Dave Davies, the Kinks‘ guitarist and lead vocalist, also stated he was “dismayed” and “deeply upset” by the death of his “friend and important contributor to Kinks music.” Meanwhile, Ray Davies, the band’s lead singer/songwriter, sent his “condolences” to Gosling’s family and added, “Rest in Peace dearest John.”
“I will hold deep affection and love for him in my heart always. Great musician and a great man.”
Dave Davies on John Gosling
What was John Gosling’s history with ‘The Kinks’?
In 1970, Gosling joined the Kinks and appeared on demos of “Lola,” “Powerman,” and “This Time Tomorrow.” Gosling remained with the band until 1978, when he got replaced by Ian Gibbons.
Gosling later became one of the founders of the band Kast Off Kinks, which included ex-Kinks musicians such as Avory, Gibbons, Jim Rodford, and John Dalton. Gosling remained a member of that band until his retirement in 2008. Other widely-known Kinks songs include “You Really Got Me,” “All Day and All Night,” and “A Well Respected Man.”