British rhythm and blues band. Formed in 1962 in
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the Animals featured Eric
Burdon as lead vocalist and Alan Price on organ.
(Bass player Chas Chandler later managed Jimi
Hendrix.) The Animals backed visiting blues artists
in the northeast, including Sonny Boy Williamson.
They had an international hit with their version of
‘‘House of the Rising Sun’’ in 1964. Several hit singles
followed with producer Mickie Most, including a
version of John Lee Hooker’s ‘‘Boom Boom’’
(1964). The group became Eric Burdon and the Animals in 1966–1968 and the musical direction changed
to rock. Occasional partial reunions occurred in later
years. Burdon and Price went on to establish solo
careers, often in blues contexts.
KENNY MATHIESON
Bibliography
Brunning, Bob. Blues in Britain: The History, 1950s to the
Present. London: Blandford, 1995.
Egan, Sean. Animal Tracks: The Story of the Animals. London: Helter Skelter, 2001.
Discography
Animals (1964, Columbia 33SX 1669).
Animal Tracks (1965, Columbia 33SX 1708).
Animalisms (1966, Decca LK4797).