Ray Davies, best known as guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for The Kinks, received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth on Saturday as part of the annual New Year Honours List.

Davies told the BBC, “Initially I felt a mixture of surprise, humility, joy and a bit embarrassed but after thinking about it, I accpt this for my family and fans as well as everyone who has inspired me to write.

Ray Davies and his younger brother Dave formed The Kinks in London in 1963. In 1990, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Since 1996 Davies has focused on his solo career as a singer-songwriter.