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Ray Davies' Bullet-Wound Inspiration
Tim Mosenfelder, Getty Images
When he set out to record his first solo album in 2004, former Kinks frontman Ray Davies wanted to be surrounded by some of his early musical influences. But when he went to New Orleans to achieve that goal, he wound up with a different kind of American experience.
While walking the French Quarter with a companion, two muggers ran by and snatched the companion's handbag. As Davies gave chase, one of the muggers shot him in the leg.
The wound shattered his leg and delayed the release of his EP. But Thanksgiving Day, released two days before Thanksgiving in 2005, didn't reflect negatively about the mugging. In fact, the title track celebrates family unity on the holiday.
