UK singer-songwriter Ray Davies says he wants the original members of The Kinks to get back together and make new music.
Davies, 74, compared trying to persuade his brother Dave, the band's lead guitarist, and drummer Mick Avory to speak to each other again to "negotiations between the United Nations".
It comes as the band announces a 50th anniversary edition of their acclaimed album The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society. The reissue contains previously unreleased material including the track Time Song.
When asked if he was in favour of a reunion, Davies told BBC Radio 2: "It's always been a yes from me because they are great players.
"Anyone listening to Village Green gets confirmation that it's a special band and they should make more music."
He confirmed that his brother and Avory had not been in the same room together since 2005, but revealed when he has spoken to them separately, both have been up for getting back together.
"If I can get them to talk, that would be great," he said. "The most important thing is if we can make new music.
"The Kinks have a great legacy and everything, but to me it's always about making new music. If the music is good, anything can happen."
The band formed in 1963 and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. The Kinks' last album was 1994's To The Bone and the Davies brothers haven't performed together since 1996.
The band is best remembered for a string of classic singles in the 1960s and 70s including All Day and All of the Night, You Really Got Me, Waterloo Sunset and Lola.
Australian Associated Press
