January 5, 2004 17:14

RAY DAVIES SHOT IN NEW ORLEANS

The Kinks legend is recovering in hospital after being shot in the leg...

Ray Davies of THE KINKS is recovering in hospital after being shot in the leg in NEW ORLEANS.

BBC news reports that the incident happened yesterday (January 4) after a female companion allegedly had her purse stolen at gunpoint.

Davies was taken to the nearby Medical Center Of Louisiana for treatment for the injury, which isn’t thought to be life threatening.

Local police have arrested one person in relation to the incident, with a second suspect is still at large.

Davies, who was on holiday in the US, was recently awarded the CBE in the New Year's Honours list.

Ray Davies formed The Kinks with his brother Dave. The band has had a huge influence on everyone from Paul Weller to Blur with their unsurpassed blending of observation and Englishness that peaked with 'Waterloo Sunset'.

They are even credited with the invention of heavy metal with the heavy riffing of 'All Day And All Of The Night' and 'You Really Got Me'.