Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Animals biography - House of the rising sun



Animals biography

It was pretty big news in music when, in 1983, IRS announced it had signed the original (and reformed) classic rock band The Animals.

The Animals were part of the U.K. blues scene of the early 60s and one of the most noteworthy bands of the British Invasion. Originally known as the Alan Price Combo, they formed in early 1962 in Newcastle-upon- Tyne, England, the group changed its name to The Animals when Burdon joined later in 1962. The group's inspiration and much of its early repertoire came from American blues and R&B. Eric Burdon's gruff voice made him a natural blues singer. And while other "blues-based" bands of the British Invasion went "pop" (most notably The Rolling Stones), The Animals "stayed the course" and continued playing the blues, yet managing to blend a folk feel to their music. In fact, their breakthrough hit, was a scorching blues rendition the traditional folk song "House of the Rising Sun." With the release of that song in mid-1964, The Animals became the first British group after the Beatles to chart a Number One single in America. Other hits followed like "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" and " Don't Let Me Down."

A big influence that made The Animals' sound unique at the time was Alan Price's organ playing, which provided dramatic accents and a blues-jazz atmosphere. Other founding members were guitarist Hilton Valentine, bassist Chas Chandler and drummer John Steel. This line-up lasted only until 1966, when Alan Price departed due to the conflicts between his fear of flying and the touring demands their "hit status" required. After that other members trickled out and new ones trickled in. With the name modified to Eric Burdon & the Animals the band transitioned to the West Coast psychedelia scene, having been to the Monterey Pop Festival (and writing a hit song about it -- "Monterey"). As members left, they made their marks elsewhere in rock: Chandler was Jimi Hendrix' first manager; Price scored the soundtrack to O LUCKY MAN! and pursued a successful solo career; A later guitarist known as Andrew Somers became Andy Summers, joined The Police and now enjoys a career as a "new age" player.

After breaking up the Animals at the end of the decade, Burdon entered the Seventies as frontman with a black funk group from the streets of Los Angeles known as War. As Eric Burdon and War, they recorded the hit single "Spill the Wine" and two albums. After Burdon left, War continued successfully into the pre-rap funk era with such hits as "Lowrider"...

The Animals have subsequently reunited on two occasions, first in 1977 and again (for IRS, the reason they're on this website) in 1983, to record and tour. These reunions have never endured, for whatever reasons, but their performances have shown that The Animals could still deliver the ferocious attack of their 60s sound at any time!

40 comments:

  1. I've always loved the animals

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  2. Great video, you've made me put another "favorite" in my playlist.

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  3. Not listened to much of the Animals, but i love their version of "House of the Rising Sun", its fun to play on guitar too :)

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  4. never heard of them, but this sounds excellent

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  5. I totaly like this sound! Not my style but I like it! Ahah!

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  6. Wow, after listening to some dubstep, this is a refreshing break. :)

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  7. I've always loved that song by the Animals.

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  8. Never heard of them, great song though.

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  9. The Animals were such a great band. Definitely up there with The Kinks as far as great pre-punk garage rock.

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  10. I remember hearing this band a while back, they are really good

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  11. I've always loved the animals, thanks for reminding me how great they were!

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  12. I remember this song and like it. Thanks for refresh my memory. Pozdrowienia ;)

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  13. The only song I knew was House of the Rising Sun... you've educated me!

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  14. this song rocks, been listning to it for some time but i got bored over the time but still it rocks!

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  15. Definitely a very unique sound. Thanks for this

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  16. my favourite song, very very very nice !!!!!!

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  17. It sounds good. Not my kind of music though.

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  18. Woah, I know i've heard this song somewhere, i just can't remember where

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  19. Good info

    Based on my experience there seems to be a misconception that House of the Rising Sun was a Doors tune.

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  20. Great song by a great band. Post more.

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  21. Look up the cover of this by Sentenced on youtube.

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  22. Nice song. I've never heard that song before.

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  23. By far one of my favorite UK bands. Ever.

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  24. aaah today i want to post that in my blog :D

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  25. never heard about these guys before, they sound cool, ill look into them further, thanks!

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  26. I know this song ... my dad listened to that stuff all the time. Know most of the beatles songs by heart now :3

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  27. Wow thats really interesting!
    Nice post! Followed! :)

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  28. Great post, I love house of rising sun

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  29. They were legends who became poor to quickly!!

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