"Celluloid Heroes" is a song performed by The Kinks and written by their lead vocalist and
principal songwriter, Ray Davies. It debuted on their 1972 album Everybody's in Show-Biz.
Lyrical themes.The song names several famous actors of 20th century film, and also mentions Los Angeles's Hollywood Boulevard, alluding to its Hollywood Walk of Fame. The actors mentioned are Greta Garbo, Rudolph Valentino, Bela Lugosi, Bette Davis, Marilyn Monroe, George Sanders, and Mickey Rooney although some versions of the song, including recorded concert versions, are
performed with fewer verses and, thus, Marilyn Monroe, George Sanders, and Mickey Rooney are
left out. Davies uses the technique of personification (of the Walk's concrete stars) to create an intimate connection with the subject matter. The lyric has a warm, melancholy and nostalgic feel, and is driven by three underlying themes. First, "Celluloid Heroes" specifically cites the inhumane and exploitative manner in which the film industry can use its stars. Second, Davies suggests the
escapist fantasy world of movies as an attractive respite. "I wish my life were a non-stop Hollywood movie show," he writes, "because celluloid heroes never feel any pain," and "never really die." Finally, Davies treats as metaphor the sometimes ethereal and elusive nature of Hollywood fame and success. "Everybody's a dreamer, everybody's a star" is followed by a cautionary note to the listener - those who find success must maintain their guard, because "success walks hand-in-hand with failure along the Hollywood Boulevard."
"Celluloid Heroes" and the "Everybody's in Show-Biz" album was followed by Davies' and the
Kinks' pioneering but commercially unsuccessful and artistically uneven theatrical incarnation
(1973–1976)
The Kinks
he Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and
Dave Davies in 1964. Categorized in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are
recognized as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era.[1][2] Their music was influenced by a wide range of genres, including rhythm and blues, British music hall, folk, and
country. Ray Davies (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and Dave Davies (lead guitar, vocals) remained
members throughout the group's 32-year run. Original members Pete Quaife (bass guitar, vocals)
and Mick Avory (drums and percussion) were replaced by John Dalton in 1969 and Bob Henrit in
1984, respectively. Dalton was in turn replaced by Jim Rodford in 1978. Keyboardist Nicky
Hopkins accompanied the band during studio sessions in the mid-1960s. Later, various
keyboardists, including John Gosling and Ian Gibbons, were full-time members.[1]
The Kinks first came to prominence in 1964 with their third single, "You Really Got Me", written
by Ray Davies.[2][3] It became an international hit, topping the charts in the United Kingdom and
reaching the Top 10 in the United States.[3][4] Between the mid-1960s and early 1970s, the group
released a string of commercially and critically successful singles and LPs, and gained a reputation
for songs and concept albums reflecting English culture and lifestyle, fuelled by Ray Davies'
observational writing style.[2] Albums such as Face to Face, Something Else, The Kinks Are the
Village Green Preservation Society, Arthur, Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, and
Muswell Hillbillies, along with their accompanying singles, are considered among the most
influential recordings of the period.[1][3][5] The Kinks' subsequent theatrical concept albums met
with less success, but the band experienced a revival during the late 1970s and early 1980s—groups such as Van Halen, The Jam, The Knack, and The Pretenders covered their songs, helping to boost
The Kinks' record sales. In the 1990s, Britpop acts such as Blur and Oasis cited the band as a major influence.[1] The Kinks broke up in 1996, a result of the commercial failures of their last few
albums and creative tension between the Davies brothers.[6]
The Kinks had five Top 10 singles on the US Billboard chart. Nine of their albums charted in the
Top 40.[7] In the UK, the group had seventeen Top 20 singles and five Top 10 albums.[8] Four of
their albums have been certified gold by the RIAA. Among numerous honours, they received the
Ivor Novello Award for "Outstanding Service to British Music".[9] In 1990, their first year of
eligibility, the original four members of The Kinks were inducted into the Rock.
(Collected from Wikipedia)
principal songwriter, Ray Davies. It debuted on their 1972 album Everybody's in Show-Biz.
Lyrical themes.The song names several famous actors of 20th century film, and also mentions Los Angeles's Hollywood Boulevard, alluding to its Hollywood Walk of Fame. The actors mentioned are Greta Garbo, Rudolph Valentino, Bela Lugosi, Bette Davis, Marilyn Monroe, George Sanders, and Mickey Rooney although some versions of the song, including recorded concert versions, are
performed with fewer verses and, thus, Marilyn Monroe, George Sanders, and Mickey Rooney are
left out. Davies uses the technique of personification (of the Walk's concrete stars) to create an intimate connection with the subject matter. The lyric has a warm, melancholy and nostalgic feel, and is driven by three underlying themes. First, "Celluloid Heroes" specifically cites the inhumane and exploitative manner in which the film industry can use its stars. Second, Davies suggests the
escapist fantasy world of movies as an attractive respite. "I wish my life were a non-stop Hollywood movie show," he writes, "because celluloid heroes never feel any pain," and "never really die." Finally, Davies treats as metaphor the sometimes ethereal and elusive nature of Hollywood fame and success. "Everybody's a dreamer, everybody's a star" is followed by a cautionary note to the listener - those who find success must maintain their guard, because "success walks hand-in-hand with failure along the Hollywood Boulevard."
"Celluloid Heroes" and the "Everybody's in Show-Biz" album was followed by Davies' and the
Kinks' pioneering but commercially unsuccessful and artistically uneven theatrical incarnation
(1973–1976)
The Kinks
he Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and
Dave Davies in 1964. Categorized in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are
recognized as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era.[1][2] Their music was influenced by a wide range of genres, including rhythm and blues, British music hall, folk, and
country. Ray Davies (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and Dave Davies (lead guitar, vocals) remained
members throughout the group's 32-year run. Original members Pete Quaife (bass guitar, vocals)
and Mick Avory (drums and percussion) were replaced by John Dalton in 1969 and Bob Henrit in
1984, respectively. Dalton was in turn replaced by Jim Rodford in 1978. Keyboardist Nicky
Hopkins accompanied the band during studio sessions in the mid-1960s. Later, various
keyboardists, including John Gosling and Ian Gibbons, were full-time members.[1]
The Kinks first came to prominence in 1964 with their third single, "You Really Got Me", written
by Ray Davies.[2][3] It became an international hit, topping the charts in the United Kingdom and
reaching the Top 10 in the United States.[3][4] Between the mid-1960s and early 1970s, the group
released a string of commercially and critically successful singles and LPs, and gained a reputation
for songs and concept albums reflecting English culture and lifestyle, fuelled by Ray Davies'
observational writing style.[2] Albums such as Face to Face, Something Else, The Kinks Are the
Village Green Preservation Society, Arthur, Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, and
Muswell Hillbillies, along with their accompanying singles, are considered among the most
influential recordings of the period.[1][3][5] The Kinks' subsequent theatrical concept albums met
with less success, but the band experienced a revival during the late 1970s and early 1980s—groups such as Van Halen, The Jam, The Knack, and The Pretenders covered their songs, helping to boost
The Kinks' record sales. In the 1990s, Britpop acts such as Blur and Oasis cited the band as a major influence.[1] The Kinks broke up in 1996, a result of the commercial failures of their last few
albums and creative tension between the Davies brothers.[6]
The Kinks had five Top 10 singles on the US Billboard chart. Nine of their albums charted in the
Top 40.[7] In the UK, the group had seventeen Top 20 singles and five Top 10 albums.[8] Four of
their albums have been certified gold by the RIAA. Among numerous honours, they received the
Ivor Novello Award for "Outstanding Service to British Music".[9] In 1990, their first year of
eligibility, the original four members of The Kinks were inducted into the Rock.
(Collected from Wikipedia)
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