Kevin Ayers

Kevin Ayers was one of rock's oddest and more likable enigmas, even if he often seemed not to operate at his highest potential, and he never appeared to have taken his music too seriously: one of his essential charms and most aggravating limitations. After the late '60s, he released many albums with a distinctly British sensibility, making ordinary lyrical subjects seem extraordinary with his rich, low vocals, inventive wordplay, and bemused, relaxed attitude. The singer/songwriter inspired the image of a sort of progressive rock beach bum, writing about life's absurdities with a relaxed detachment. A progressive rock innovator, he helped launch Soft Machine as their original bassist. ~ Richie Unterberger