I went online back in October or November 1995, and alt.fan.kinks might have
been the very first place I visited. I noticed occasional references to
something "on the digest," and after a couple months, I e-mailed somebody from
the newsgroup (which has been basically deserted now for at least a couple of
years, I'm sorry to say) to ask what it was and how I could sign up. That would
have been early in 1996, I guess, and the result is that for the last 12 years
or so I've been better-informed about the goings-on in Kinks-land than ever
before.
I've known about all the tours in advance, I've
read reviews of shows by Ray and Dave from all over, and right now, for
instance, I'm waiting anxiously for Ray's new album, which I almost certainly
wouldn't have heard a word about if not for the digest. I'm sure most people on the digest could say the same thing. I've also just enjoyed hearing people's stories and comments
about all aspects of the Kinks, and having a chance to foist my own on everybody
else.
This wouldn't be possible without Neil's efforts.
I can only imagine how much time and effort it must take to compile those
digests and send them off to, what, a thousand people at a time -- at times in
the past, on almost a daily basis. I'm sure it's a tedious job, but it's not a
thankless one, because I surely appreciate it, along with everybody else who's
contributing to this project.
