Imagine unearthing a treasure trove of untold stories about one of rock's most influential bands. That's precisely what Andrew Sandoval and Doug Hinman have achieved with their meticulously researched book, All Day and All of the Night: The Day-by-Day Story Pt. 1 – 1940-1971 about The Kinks. But here's the kicker: this isn't just a rehash of old news; it's a completely reimagined and expanded chronicle, packed with never-before-seen details! We at Second Disc HQ, being huge fans of Andrew Sandoval's work – from his groundbreaking Monkees projects like the Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones, Ltd. box set and The As, The Bs, and The Monkees singles collection to his curatorial work with The Everly Brothers, The Band, Love, Bee Gees, and Van Morrison – were thrilled to snag some time with him to discuss this monumental release from his publishing house, Beatland Books.
Sandoval, a writer, producer, musician, and historian, has poured his extensive knowledge of The Kinks into this project, co-writing it with Doug Hinman, the original author of the 1994 edition. This isn't just a reprint; it's a complete overhaul. So how did this collaboration come about?
"Doug and I connected through mutual Kinks enthusiasts back in the '90s after his discography was published," Sandoval explains. "He was immersed in the Day-By-Day companion, and I took a shot at transforming some of his raw data into narrative form. Ultimately, his book found a home at Backbeat in the UK, with Tony Bacon expertly shaping Doug's monumental research into a compelling narrative. Ironically, my own Monkees Day-By-Day book was also published by Backbeat, with Bacon as the editor!"
While both were grateful for the exposure and wider distribution, Sandoval reveals a shared dream: "It was both our dreams to have a more elaborate presentation for our works published down the road." After redoing his Monkees book, Sandoval and Hinman spent years discussing reviving and reworking Hinman's Kinks book. The result? A hefty 520-page volume with completely rewritten and revised text, boasting hundreds of rare images and illustrations in full color – a stark contrast to the original's black and white format.
But what exactly is new in this edition? "We had greater access to recording information, thanks to Shel Talmy's archive, and a wealth of gig listings gathered by a team of dedicated researchers," Sandoval shares. "We also started from scratch with our BBC information, uncovering previously unpublished radio and television details. Furthermore, every Kinks recording is meticulously analyzed, with breakdowns of the musicians involved and insights gleaned from contemporary interviews." And this is the part most people miss: the level of detail is staggering!
During the intensive research and compilation process, did anything particularly surprise Sandoval? "I learned more than I can remember – that’s why I’m so glad it’s all in this book!" One fascinating anecdote he shares is that the Davies brothers’ father, Fred, was actually born with the last name Kelly. "Which explains why Ray and Dave’s first gig outside of their home was as The Kelly Brothers. Their father adopted his stepfather’s last name of Davies, and I can’t really think of The Kinks without thinking of Ray and Dave Davies. It almost seems unnatural to say Ray and Dave Kelly."
Another intriguing revelation concerns the album Arthur. "Granada TV actually funded all of the recording sessions, hoping to release the album themselves instead of Pye/Reprise." But here's where it gets controversial... "Ultimately, what would have amounted to the first TV pop opera was scrapped because production costs kept spiraling, and Granada's previous ventures in this area – like their Johnny Cash At San Quentin special and The Doors Are Open – led them to cancel the TV portion of Arthur." Can you imagine how different music history might be if Arthur had debuted as a TV pop opera?
With so much previously unknown information coming to light, have the surviving members of The Kinks been supportive of the project? "To an extent, The Kinks have always been supportive of Doug’s research," Sandoval says. "And I interviewed all of the members for an extensive two-part article in Record Collector. These elements were the basis for a lot of our work on this book. Doug was particularly close with Pete Quaife, and his story and point of view are accurately reflected in this volume."
What is it about The Kinks' music that has allowed it to endure for so many years? Sandoval attributes it to Ray Davies' unique approach to writing and recording. "He is completely without equal as a creative force. Not to mention Dave Davies gift as a vocalist and guitarist being an essential element that motivated Ray and drove The Kinks." He continues, "I can think of no other artist from the era that strayed so far into territory where they were without contemporary influence. Yet, there are few to no examples where you could say The Beatles, The Stones, or The Who had any impact on what The Kinks created. They maintained a totally idiosyncratic output and it is remarkable that so much of their work escaped unfiltered by commercial necessities." Is it this 'idiosyncratic output' that defines their sound, or is there something more?
For those familiar with Sandoval's work on The Monkees, specifically his book The Monkees: The Day-by-Day Story, is this Kinks book a good entry point for newcomers? "I have to be honest with you – this book is really for the major Kinks fans," Sandoval admits. "Any time there was a question of whether to broaden its spectrum to engage a wider audience, we went with making it the most definitive piece we could, hoping to better any previous research that is available." He adds, "I would hope my many Monkees friends feel well-served by the works I currently have out there, and should I have enough time to detail the latter half of their career in a day-by-day fashion, I certainly will do it."
Sandoval's Beatland Books, like The Monkees’ The Day-by-Day Story and Micky Dolenz’s I’m Told I Had a Good Time, are known for their beautiful design. What goes into designing such massive books, and how does the design complement Sandoval's work as an author? "John and I now have a very long working relationship established," he says. "And there’s a great deal of trust on both our parts that we will come to a creative space on each book where we can do something that’s really different than your average team. It begins in the same place that we share, which is being collectors and appreciators of music in all formats. We both have nostalgia for the fonts that we see on covers and labels, and we both draw our inspiration from our collections. Knowing that the artists that I love like The Monkees or The Kinks would never be afforded lavish coffee table books has driven me forward to make something no one else would make. And I couldn’t make these books without the dedication and help of John Sellards."
So, when can we expect the next volume of this definitive series? "It will be based largely on public demand," Sandoval explains. "These books are printed in limited numbers, and the hope is to sell through what I’ve made. The sooner that the books are sold, the sooner I can get on with the next couple of volumes."
Visit Beatland Books to purchase Andrew Sandoval and Doug Hinman’s All Day and All of the Night: The Day-by-Day Story Pt. 1 – 1940-1971. It’s available in various formats, including a Flexibound Edition, Deluxe Edition, and Super Deluxe Edition, with the latter two editions also including a standalone Scrapbook volume. The Flexibound edition will ship in February, with the Deluxe and Super Deluxe books following in March. Regardless of the edition, this is a must-have for any serious Kinks enthusiast.
Now, let's hear from you! What's your favorite Kinks album, and what makes their music so special to you? Do you agree that Ray Davies is "completely without equal as a creative force"? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
