The Animals | |
|---|---|
 The Animals in 1964: from left to right,Eric Burdon (vocals),Alan Price (keyboards),Chas Chandler (bass),Hilton Valentine (guitar),John Steel (drums) | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Eric Burdon and the New Animals |
| Origin |  Newcastle upon Tyne,England |
| Genres | Rhythm and blues,Blues rock,Rock,Psychedelic rock,Progressive rock,Punk rock,R&B,Rock and roll |
| Years active | 1963–1969, 1975-1976, 1983 |
| Labels | Columbia Graphophone,Decca,MGM |
| Past member(s) | Eric Burdon Alan Price Chas Chandler (deceased) Hilton Valentine(deceased) John Steel Dave Rowberry (deceased) Barry Jenkins and more |
The Animals were anEnglish music group, who were most popular in the1960s. They were known for theirbluesy sound, and their heavy-voiced singerEric Burdon.
One of their first hit songs, "The House of The Rising Sun", was an oldAmericanfolk song, which they performed with arock and roll beat. Folk musicianBob Dylan was impressed by the Animals version of the song.
Other Animals hits included "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place", "Don't Bring Me Down", "It's My Life", "See See Rider", "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", and "I'm Crying". The original Animals disbanded, and Burdon moved to theUnited States in1967, where he formed a new version of the band. They made more records, like "San Franciscan Nights", "Sky Pilot", "When I Was Young", "Paint it Black", "River Deep Mountain High", "Gratefully Dead" and "Monterey".
The original Animals reunited in later years, to performconcerts, and Burdon performed Animals songs with other bands.Bass guitaristChas Chandler became amusic producer, with artists likeJimi Hendrix andSlade.
Keyboardist Alan Price left the band in early 1965 and went on an successful solo career inEurope. Guitar player Hilton Valentine and drummer John Steel left the musicbusiness for many years until they reunited. John Weider, guitar and violin player of the second Animals went on an solo career and was a member of the rock bandFamily. Guitar player of the second Animals Vic Briggs became Antion Vikram Singh and released a few solo records including Hawaiian music. Lead singer Eric Burdon went on with the funk rock bandWar, formed thehard rock/heavy metal groupThe Eric Burdon Band and went on an solo career with many ups and downs.
