Michael Charles Avory (born 15 February 1944 in East Molesey, Surrey, England) is an English musician, best known as the longtime drummer and percussionist for the British rock band, The Kinks, joining them shortly after their formation in 1964 and remaining with them until 1984, when he left amid creative friction with guitarist Dave Davies. He is the longest serving member of the band, beside the Davies brothers.
While not as flamboyant as other drummers of the period, such as Keith Moon or John Bonham, Mick Avory is a talented and precise drummer and percussionist. Avory was mostly influenced by jazz drummers like Art Blakey, Max Roach, Joe Morello and Shelly Mann. Although he is overlooked in the context of the band, his contribution to The Kinks' sound is unquestionable. Ray Davies said of him: "Mick had an important sound. Mick wasn't a great drummer, but he was a jazz drummer -- same school, same era as Charlie Watts." He is mostly thought of as an expert back-up performer, known for his fluid jazz drumming and efficient steadiness.
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