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Page 1 of 2 ERIC BURDON & THE ANIMALS The Animals had their beginnings as the blues-based Alan Price Combo. Alan Price was the vocalist and master of keyboards, with Hilton Valentine on guitar, Chas Chandler on bass, and John Steel on drums. When deep-voiced Eric Burdon joined in 1962 as lead singer, the band’s name was changed to The Animals. Eric became a dynamic front man as he would howl and growl his way through the band’s repertoire, making the band popular in their native northeast England. After two years, the heavily R&B-influenced group moved to London where they very quickly became prominent on the flourishing club scene. When they hooked up with Mickie Most as their manager, The Animals were set in motion. Their debut single, “Baby Let Me Take You Home”, displayed the band’s talent as a whole (before it was overshadowed by Burdon’s distinctive vocals) and reached #21 on the British charts in 1964. But the song did not crossover into the USA. However, the British invasion had just been launched in February with the Beatles’ Ed Sullivan appearance. The Animals were about to participate in the first wave.  “House of the Rising Sun” recorded early in 1964 became a hit around the world in the summer of that year. With Price’s arrangement showcasing his superior keyboards and Eric’s gritty and haunting vocal performance, “House of he Rising Sun” remains one of the true classic rock and blues songs of the genre. The record skyrocketed to #1 in both the USA and England. This ensured their inclusion in the British Invasion along with giants The Beatles and Dave Clark Five. Follow-up, “I’m Crying”, continued to highlight Burdon’s soulful delivery, but could not be the giant that “House of the Rising Sun” was. It respectably reached #19 later in the year, keeping the Animals in the minds of America’s young people. Their debut album was a smash success on both sides of the Atlantic. Record collectors will note that the tracks on the UK and US versions were noticeably different. But conflict was arising within the band between former leader Price and charismatic lead singer Burdon. The band, which had once been the namesake of Price, was now becoming more identified as Eric Burdon’s band. In truth, Burdon produced some of the most dynamic vocals of that era, but they were perfectly complemented by the dramatic sound of Price’s organ. The two melded together, giving early Animals records an edge that only Mick and the Stones could rival. “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” was a perfect example of this, and went on to be their next big hit, peaking at #15 in the Spring of ’65. Burdon’s solid “Bring it On Home to Me” (#32) followed in the summer. But former leader Alan Price had had enough. With worldwide touring necessary for the group, he left the band with the official reason being “fear of flying.” After a brief respite, Price went on to form another band “The Alan Price Set” and had considerable success on the UK charts. He also composed the score for the Malcolm McDowell cult film, “O Lucky Man!” He became a celebrity in England in the 70s with his own TV show. He has continued to perform and compose up through the present day. With Price abruptly out of the picture, Dave Rowberry was signed as the new keyboardist and the Animals kept touring and touring. And the hits kept coming too. “We Gotta Get Outta This Place” (recorded just prior to Price’s departure) was propelled up the charts by the sheer despair in Burdon’s urgent delivery as Price seethed on the organ one last time. The song peaked at #13 in the Fall of 1965. The anthem “It’s My Life” (And I’ll Do What I Want-It’s My Mind And I’ll Think Like I Want) followed, echoing the cry of the day and peaking at #23.
 As the group’s dynamics changed, Eric & Co. became more and more disenchanted with their manager, Mickie Most. The boys decided to dump Most, moving over to Decca/London Records and recording the successful album Animalisms (Animalization in the USA).  The album produced “Inside-Looking Out” (#34) and the rocking, howling “Don’t Bring Me Down”.(#12). But the band was continuing to fall apart internally. Drummer John Steel had already left the band (replaced by Barry Jenkins) by the release of their third album. And in September of 1966, the remaining original members Valentine and Chandler left the group, leaving Burdon with the band’s name. Chas Chandler went on to become Jimi Hendrix’s manager. Hilton Valentine still records today. |
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