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United Kingdom Eric Burdon & The Animals are English rock pioneers, acclaimed for their gritty blues-rock sound and influential role in the British Invasion.
Interested in booking Eric Burdon & The Animals?
Request A ShowIn 1970, producer Jerry Goldstein introduced Eric Burdon, the Animals' former lead singer, to War's seven-piece ensemble. Their collaboration resulted in albums such as "Eric Burdon Declares 'War'" and "The Black-Man's Burdon," producing hits like "Spill the Wine" and "Tobacco Road." This partnership represented a significant fusion of rock, R&B, and funk, defining a sound emblematic of the hippie generation.
The Animals made six appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show between 1964 and 1966. Their performances, including their hits 'House of the Rising Sun,' 'I'm Crying,' and 'Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood,' were integral to their rise during the British Invasion, despite generating sometimes raucous audience reactions. Burdon fondly recalled the show as a necessary platform for success, emphasizing the value of its exposure.
Eric Burdon, born Eric Victor Burdon on May 11, 1941, in Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, grew up in a working-class family. His early education was marked by challenges, which he described as a “dark nightmare.” A teacher named Bertie Brown helped him enroll in Newcastle College of Art and Industrial Design, where he studied graphics and photography. It was there he met John Steel, who would become the original drummer for The Animals. Burdon’s formative experiences also involved hanging out at the local jazz club, The Downbeat, and connecting with other young rebels who shared his love for jazz, folk, and movies, shaping his musical sensibilities from an early age.
The Animals were formed in Newcastle upon Tyne between 1962 and 1963, when Burdon joined the Alan Price Rhythm and Blues Combo. The original lineup included Burdon (vocals), Alan Price (organ and keyboards), Hilton Valentine (guitar), Chas Chandler (bass), and John Steel (drums). Gaining a reputation for their energetic stage presence, the band became known as The Animals. In June 1964, they achieved international success with their rendition of “The House of the Rising Sun,” a transatlantic number-one hit that showcased Burdon’s powerful vocals and Price’s distinctive organ riffs, considered one of the first folk-rock hits. Their early career was marked by a string of hit singles and appearances on prominent shows like The Ed Sullivan Show in October 1964, where they performed “I’m Crying” and “The House of the Rising Sun.”
Over the years, The Animals experienced numerous personnel changes. Alan Price departed in May 1965, followed by John Steel in February 1966. Burdon then assembled a new lineup, continuing under the name Eric Burdon and the Animals, shifting towards psychedelic and progressive rock with hits like “San Franciscan Nights” and “Sky Pilot.” The original lineup reunited for brief comeback attempts in 1975 and 1983, releasing albums such as “Before We Were So Rudely Interrupted” and “Ark.” The original members were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, acknowledging their significant legacy in rock and roll history. Burdon continues to tour as Eric Burdon & The Animals, while former drummer John Steel leads ‘Animals & Friends’, a testament to the band’s enduring influence.
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