MUSICIANS from one of the most influential rock bands of all time will be brushing off a host of hits from the Sixties and beyond this weekend.

The Kinks paved the way for a range of musical genres, from rock to punk to new wave and Britpop.

Debut hit You Really Got Me rewrote the rules in 1964 with its signature riff and overdriven power chords.

The band’s style later change to more melodic songs, highlighting Ray Davies’ lyrical and observational skills in songs such as Sunny Afternoon, Dead End Street and Waterloo Sunset.

The Kinks' popularity in the UK started to wane in the 1970s, but they found new commercial success in the USA, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and returned to the UK top 20 in 1983 with Come Dancing, continuing to record and tour until 1996, when brothers Ray and Dave Davies went their separate ways to forge solo careers.

The band’s 32-year career saw a number of changes in personnel. Original bassist Pete Quaife was replaced by John Dalton in 1969, and keyboard player John Gosling was added in 1970.

Following the two Johns’ departure in the late 1970s, Jim Rodford took over bass duties and Ian Gibbons became the keyboard player.

Original drummer Mick Avory left in 1983, to be replaced by Bob Henrit and Mark Haley played keyboards for a period in the late 80s/early 90s.

Braintree and Witham Times: The Kast Off Kinks are coming to townThe Kast Off Kinks are coming to town (Image: Kast Off Kinks)

The Kast Off Kinks formed in 1994 to keep the music alive.

The original line-up consisted of the band which recorded Lola, minus Ray and Dave - Avory, Dalton and Gosling together with guitar-player/singer Dave Clarke.

In 2009, the line-up became the band that played Come Dancing - Avory, Gibbons and Rodford with Clarke still covering for the Davies brothers.

Rodford then became busy playing with The Zombies and Argent, so Dalton was persuaded to come out of retirement.

The current line-up features Clarke, Avory and Haley, with Mike Steed on bass.

Fans can expect all the hits, including You Really Got Me, Dedicated Follower of Fashion, Sunny Afternoon, Lola, Days, Waterloo Sunset, Come Dancing and many more.

The Kast Off Kinks are at Witham Public Hall on Saturday, June 10, at 8pm. Tickets are £19.50 from Witham Town Hall, online at withampublichall.co.uk, or call 03450 178717.