John Gosling of The Kinks
Ex-keyboard player dies aged 75
John Gosling (second from right) was 75 years old.
© getty/Jorgen Angel / Redferns
The British cult band The Kinks mourns the loss of a longtime member: ex-keyboardist John Gosling has died at the age of 75.
The members of the British band The Kinks, which has been active for around 60 years, mourn the loss of a long-time companion. The band’s former keyboardist John Gosling has passed away at the age of 75, according to the group’s official Instagram account. The post reads: “We are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of John Gosling. We send our condolences to John’s wife and family.”
Guitarist and vocalist Dave Davies (76) adds: “I am appalled and deeply saddened by John Gosling’s death. He was a friend and an important part of The Kinks’ music during his time with us. […] I will always carry deep affection and love for him in my heart. A great musician and a great man.”
Gosling joined the band in 1970, around six years after its inception. He remained with The Kinks until 1978 when he was replaced by Ian Gibbons. He then formed the group Kast Off Kinks with other ex-members of the band, including Avory Gibbons, Jim Rodford and John Dalton. He remained with the group until the end of his career in 2008.
“Felt absolutely at home”
A year after he had left the limelight himself in an interview remembered his warm-hearted first day as a member of The Kinks: “They all seemed like super easygoing guys. When I walked in, Dave hugged me [Davies, Anm. d. Red.] a beer from a crate in the middle of the room. […] I remember feeling absolutely at home – almost as if I had always been there.”
The Kinks will be celebrating their 60th band anniversary next year. Her latest best-of album “The Journey – Part 1” was released in March of this year. Her most famous songs include “You Really Got Me”, “A Well Respected Man” and “All Day and All of the Night”.