Kevin Ayers

Kevin Ayers, probably the last of the great looking British pop music artist.  The ultimate non-career border-line hippy who made key albums with his first successful band The Soft Machine and in the early 70's made key solo albums with the label Harvest and Island Records.  His band The Whole World consisted a very young Mike Oldfield, the great arranger David Bedford, and avant-sax player Lol Coxhill.  And of course his long musical career with the great Robert Wyatt.

I discovered Kevin Ayers music via my best friend Gary, who insisted that he was 'it' with respect to the perfect music maker - pop career.  I didn't take to his music  right away, but I was seduced by his attitude in life - and that eventually lead me to his music.


"Song For Insane Times" from his first solo album "Joy of a Toy"


"Lady Rachel" from "Joy of a Toy"


"Religious Experience"  With Syd Barrett, or some think that Syd's on this recording.  If not on the recording, at least he was somewhere in the room.


Kevin Ayers interview 2008


Soft Machine August 25, 1968 Ce Soir On Danse


Kevin Ayers and the Whole World - Taverne De L'Olympia, May 1970 Part 1


Kevin Ayers and The Whole World - Taverne De L'Olympia, May 1970 Part 2


"May I"

Kevin Ayers passed away on February 18.  Died in his sleep.  He was 68.