The Animals are an English rock band founded as Alan Price Rhythm and Blues Combo in 1962, by Eric Burdon (vocals), Alan Price (keyboards), Hilton Valentine (guitar), John Steel (drums) and Bryan "Chas" Chandler (bass). [1] [2] Two versions of the band currently exist one is led by Steel under the name Animals and Friends and another is led by Burdon under the name Eric Burdon and the Animals, which is also the name the band went by between 1966–1969 after all other original band members had departed. [3]
Steel's version includes Steel (since 1994), guitarist and vocalist Danny Handley (since 2009), keyboardist Barney Williams (since 2022) and bassist and vocalist Norman Helm (since 2023). Burdon's version has been active since 2016 and features Davey Allen (keyboards, vocals), Dustin Koester (drums, vocals), Justin Andres (bass, vocals), Johnzo West (guitar, vocals), Ruben Salinas (saxophone, flute) and Evan Mackey (trombone). [4]
Formed in Newcastle upon Tyne during 1962 and 1963 when Burdon joined the Alan Price Rhythm and Blues Combo, the original lineup was Burdon (vocals), Price (organ and keyboards), Hilton Valentine (guitar), John Steel (drums) and Bryan "Chas" Chandler (bass), [5] [6] they changed their name to the Animals.
By May 1965, the group was starting to feel internal pressures. Price left because of personal and musical differences, as well as his fear of flying while on tour. [7] He went on to a successful career as a solo artist and with the Alan Price Set. Mick Gallagher filled in for Price on keyboards [8] for a short time until Dave Rowberry replaced Gallagher. [9]
The Animals assembled a big band to play at the fifth annual British Jazz and Blues Festival in Richmond. The Animals Big Band made their one public appearance on 5 August 1965. In addition to Burdon, Rowberry, Valentine, Chandler and Steel, the band featured a brass/horn section of Ian Carr, Kenny Wheeler and Greg Brown on trumpet and Stan Robinson, Al Gay, Dick Morrissey and Paul Carroll on saxophone.
In February 1966, Steel left and was replaced by Barry Jenkins. Burdon began work on a solo album called Eric Is Here , By this time, the Animals' business affairs "were in a total shambles" according to Chandler (who went on to manage Jimi Hendrix and produce Slade) and the group disbanded.
A group with Burdon, Jenkins and new sidemen John Weider (guitar/violin/bass), Vic Briggs (guitar/piano) and Danny McCulloch (bass) was formed under the name Eric Burdon and Animals (or sometimes Eric Burdon and the New Animals) in December 1966. Zoot Money was added to the lineup in April 1968, initially as organist/pianist only, but upon McCulloch's departure, he also took on bass and occasional lead vocals. [10] In July 1968, Andy Summers (later the guitarist for the Police) replaced Briggs. Both Money and Summers were formerly of British psychedelic outfit Dantalian's Chariot. By December 1968, this incarnation of the Animals had dissolved.
The original Animals lineup of Burdon, Price, Valentine, Chandler and Steel reunited for a benefit concert in Newcastle in December 1968 and reformed in late 1975 to record again. [11] They embarked on a brief tour in 1976 and shot videos for their new songs such as "Lonely Avenue" and "Please Send Me Someone to Love". They released an album in 1977 that was aptly titled Before We Were So Rudely Interrupted . [12]
On 12 December 1982, Burdon performed with Price and a complete lineup, foreshadowing future events.
All five original band members reunited in 1983 for the album Ark and a world concert tour, supplemented by Zoot Money on keyboards, Nippy Noya on percussion, Steve Gregory on saxophone and Steve Grant on guitar.
In the 1990s, Danny McCulloch, from the later-1960s Animals, released several albums as the Animals. [13] The albums contained covers of some original Animals songs, as well as new ones written by McCulloch.
In 1992, Barry Jenkins joined a reconstituted version of the Animals, including "New Animals" members Vic Briggs and Danny McCulloch along with new percussionist Jack McCulloch and Phil Ryan instead of Eric Burdon on lead vocals. The band played the first rock concert held in Red Square, Moscow, as part of a benefit concert for the victims of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. [14]
Also in 1992, Hilton Valentine formed the Animals II from a local North East band he was playing with called The Alligators, and was joined by Steel in 1994 and Rowberry in 1999. Other members of this version of the band include Robert Kane (now vocalist with Dr. Feelgood), Steve Hutchinson, Steve Dawson (now guitarist with Geordie) and Martin Bland.
From 1999 until Valentine's departure in 2001, the band toured under the name the Animals. This version featured Tony Liddle on lead vocals backed by Valentine, Steel, Rowberry and Jim Rodford. Chris Allen occasionally depped for Rodford (while he was playing with The Zombies). Steve Farrell contributed backing vocals and hand percussion.
After Valentine left this line up in Summer 2001, Steel and Rowberry continued with Steve Dawson, who returned to replace Valentine until the Winter of 2002. The band then morphed into Animals and Friends, with Peter Barton on vocals, Rodford, and John E. Williamson on guitar. When Rowberry died in 2003, he was replaced by Mick Gallagher (who had briefly replaced Price in 1965). Danny Handley joined the band in 2009, initially as lead guitarist, but replaced Barton on lead vocals when Barton retired in 2012. Scott Whitley had a brief tenure in the band before Roberto "Bobby" Ruiz took over on bass. This successful lineup continues to tour the world with guests such as Steve Cropper and Spencer Davis. In 2022, Barney Williams replaced Gallagher due to the latter's ill health. [15]
In 2016, Burdon formed the current lineup of Eric Burdon and the Animals, including Johnzo West (guitar/vocals), Davey Allen (keys/vocals), Dustin Koester (drums/vocals), Justin Andres (bass guitar/vocals), Ruben Salinas (sax/flute) and Evan Mackey (trombone). [16]
Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Eric Burdon |
| vocals | All Animals releases | |
Hilton Valentine |
|
| ||
Chas Chandler |
|
| ||
John Steel |
| drums | ||
Alan Price |
|
| All Animals releases except Animalisms (1966; UK), Animalization (1966; US) and Animalism (1966; US) | |
Mick Gallagher | 1965 | none | ||
Dave Rowberry | 1965–1966 (died 2003) |
| ||
Barry Jenkins | 1966 | drums |
| |
Zoot Money | 1983 | keyboards |
| |
Steve Grant |
| |||
Steve Gregory | saxophones | |||
Nippy Noya | percussion |
Animals and Friends
Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
John Steel | 1994–present | drums | none | |
Danny Handley | 2009–present |
| ||
Barney Williams | 2022–present | keyboards | ||
Norman Helm | 2023–present |
|
Eric Burdon and The Animals
Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Eric Burdon |
| vocals | all releases | |
Davey Allen | 2016–present |
| none | |
Dustin Koester |
| |||
Justin Andres |
| |||
Johnzo West |
| |||
Ruben Salinas |
| |||
Evan Mackey | trombone |
Animals and Friends/Animals II/Valentine's Animals
Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hilton Valentine | 1992–2001 (died 2021) | guitar | none | |
Robert Kane | 1992–1999 | vocals | ||
Joss Elliott | 1992–1994 | bass | ||
George Fearon | guitar | |||
Dave Dodsworth | drums | |||
Steve Hutchinson | 1994–1999 | keyboards | ||
Fred Hill | 1994–1995 | bass | ||
Dave Whiffin | guitar | |||
Steve Dawson |
| |||
Martin Bland | 1995–1999 | bass | ||
Steve 'ih' Farrell | 1999 |
| ||
Tony Liddle |
| vocals | ||
Eamon Cronin | 2001 | |||
Jim Rodford | 1999–2003 (died 2018) | bass | ||
Dave Rowberry | 1999–2003 (until his death) | keyboards | ||
Pete Barton | 2001–2011 |
| ||
John E. Williamson | 2001–2009 |
| ||
Mick Gallagher | 2003–2022 |
| ||
Scott Whitley | 2011–2012 |
| ||
Roberto Ruiz | 2012–2023 |
|
Eric Burdon and The Animals
Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Barry Jenkins | 1966–1968 |
| all Eric Burdon and The Animals releases | |
John Weider |
| |||
Vic Briggs | 1966–1968 (died 2021) |
|
| |
Danny McCulloch | 1966–1968 (died 2015) |
| ||
Zoot Money | 1968 |
|
| |
Andy Summers |
|
|
Period | Members | Releases |
---|---|---|
1963 – May 1965 The Animals |
|
|
May 1965 |
| |
May 1965 – February 1966 |
|
|
February–September 1966 |
|
|
December 1966 – April 1968 Eric Burdon and the Animals |
|
|
April–July 1968 |
|
|
July–December 1968 |
|
|
December 1968 – 1975 | Disbanded | |
1975 – 1976 The Animals |
| |
1976–1983 | Disbanded | |
September–December 1983 |
| Ark (1983) |
1983–1992 | Disbanded | |
1992 Valentine's Animals |
| none |
1994–1995 Animals II |
| |
1995–1999 |
| |
1999 |
| |
1999–2001 The Animals |
| |
2001 |
| |
2001–2002 |
| |
2001–2003 Animals and Friends |
| |
2003–2009 Animals and Friends |
| |
2009–2011 Animals and Friends |
| |
2011–2012 Animals and Friends |
| |
2012–2022 Animals and Friends |
| |
2022–2023 Animals and Friends |
| |
2023–present Animals and Friends |
|
Period | Members | Releases |
---|---|---|
2016–present Eric Burdon and the Animals [17] |
|
The Animals are an English rock band formed in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1963. The Animals' original lineup consisted of deep-voiced frontman Eric Burdon, guitarist Hilton Valentine, bass guitarist Chas Chandler, keyboardist Alan Price, and drummer John Steel. Known for their gritty, bluesy sound, they balanced tough, rock-edged pop singles against rhythm-and-blues-orientated album material, and were part of the British Invasion of the US.
Eric Victor Burdon is an English singer and songwriter. He was previously the lead vocalist of the R&B and rock band the Animals and the funk band War. He is regarded as one of the British Invasion's most distinctive singers with his deep, powerful blues-rock voice. Burdon is also known for his intense stage performances.
John Steel is an English musician who is the long-serving drummer for The Animals. Having served as the band's drummer at its inception in 1963, he is the only original bandmember playing in the current incarnation of The Animals. He was inducted with the band into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
Animalism is the fifth American album by the Animals, released in November 1966. The album includes the band's usual repertoire of blues and R&B covers, while Frank Zappa contributed a song and played bass on two tracks. It was the last album recorded by the original incarnation of the Animals prior to their disbandment, after which singer Eric Burdon would assemble a mostly new lineup under the name "Eric Burdon and the Animals". This new version of the group was already touring when Animalism released.
James Walter Rodford was an English musician, who played bass for several British rock bands. He was a founding member of Argent, which was led by his cousin Rod Argent, and performed with them from their formation in 1969 until they disbanded in 1976. He was the bassist for the Kinks from 1978 until they disbanded in 1997. In 2004, he joined the reunited Zombies, whom he had been closely associated with since the early 1960s, and remained a member until his death in 2018. He was also a member of the Swinging Blue Jeans and the Kast Off Kinks.
Animalisms is the third studio album by the English R&B/blues rock band the Animals, and was released in the United Kingdom in May 1966 on Decca Records. It was the first Animals album to be produced by Tom Wilson as well as the first to feature keyboardist Dave Rowberry after the May 1965 departure of original keyboardist Alan Price. It reached No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart and remained there for 17 weeks.
Animalization is a studio album by the English rock band the Animals. The band's fourth American release, it was issued in August 1966 on MGM Records. It has a track listing somewhat similar to the British album Animalisms. The album, which reached #20 on the US Billboard album chart, included three US Top 40 singles, and was the first Animals album to have some tracks mixed in true stereo.
John Weider is an English rock musician who plays guitar, bass, and violin. He is best known as the guitarist for the Animals from 1966 to 1968. He was also the bass player for Family from 1969 to 1971.
The Best of The Animals is the first greatest hits collection by the British rock group the Animals. MGM Records released the album in February 1966 in the United States. It showcases the Animals' tough-edged pop hits combined with their more devoted blues and R&B workouts. The album has been reissued with some different tracks and a similar collection, The Most of Animals, was released in the United Kingdom in 1966.
David Eric Rowberry was an English pianist and organist, most known for being a member of the rock and R&B group The Animals in the 1960s.
Animal Tracks is the Animals' third album in the United States, released as both LP Record and reel-to-reel tape. Musically, it was a hodge-podge of the group's recent hit singles mixed in with tracks of assorted vintage that had not been included on either of The Animals' first two U.S. albums. As such it bore little resemblance in content or purpose to the band's British release also named Animal Tracks from four months earlier. "The Story of Bo Diddley" is an adaptation and expansion of a song recorded by Bo Diddley in 1960, utilizing some of the original lyrics but with additional verses and melody recapping the musician's life in a talking blues style.
Animal Tracks is the second studio album by British R&B/blues rock band the Animals. It was released in May 1965, on Columbia, and was the group's last album with the full participation of Alan Price until the release of the original quintet's 1977 reunion album, Before We Were So Rudely Interrupted. It reached No. 6 on the UK Albums Chart and remained there for 26 weeks.
Winds of Change is the debut album by British-American band Eric Burdon & the Animals, released in October 1967 by MGM Records. The album was recorded following the 1966 dissolution of the original group the Animals and singer Eric Burdon's move to San Francisco, where he and drummer Barry Jenkins formed the new Animals lineup with musicians Vic Briggs, Danny McCulloch and John Weider. The album was produced by Tom Wilson and arranged by Briggs in sessions that spanned several months.
Ark is an album by the original members of the Animals. Released in 1983 by I.R.S. Records, it peaked at #66 on the Billboard Top 200. Ark was the second and last reunion attempt of the band's initial lineup, and the album was subsequently followed by a tour by the band.
Every One of Us is an album by Eric Burdon & The Animals. It was released in 1968 on MGM Records.
The Animals is the self-titled debut album by the British R&B/blues rock band the Animals. It was released in the United Kingdom in October 1964 on EMI's Columbia Records. The album reached No. 6 in the UK Albums Chart and spent 20 weeks on the chart.
Colin Ernest "Barry" Jenkins was an English musician, best known for being a drummer for the Animals during both of that 1960s group's incarnations.
Daniel Joseph "Danny" McCulloch was an English musician best known as the bassist of the 1960s psychedelic rock group Eric Burdon and The Animals.
Absolute Animals 1964–1968 is a compilation album of The Animals, released in 2003 and which features many of their hits. It was also the first compilation to feature songs from their Columbia, Decca, and MGM albums.
Greatest Hits Live (Rip It to Shreds) is a live album by the original members of The Animals. It was released in 1984.