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Band Timeline

1962-1963

Formation of The Animals and Early Lineup

The Animals were formed in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, during 1962 and 1963. The original lineup consisted of Eric Burdon (vocals), Hilton Valentine (guitar), Chas Chandler (bass guitar), Alan Price (keyboards), and John Steel (drums). Initially called the Alan Price Rhythm and Blues Combo, they adopted the name The Animals, reputedly inspired by their energetic stage performances or as a tribute to a friend nicknamed 'Animal'. The band played a mix of rhythm and blues, covering works by artists such as Jimmy Reed and Nina Simone, which set their gritty, blues-based sound.
1964

Rise to Fame with 'The House of the Rising Sun'

1964 marked The Animals' breakthrough year with the release of their signature song 'The House of the Rising Sun'. This folk-rock arrangement, featuring Eric Burdon’s distinctive vocals and Alan Price's haunting organ riffs, achieved number one status on both UK and US charts, becoming a defining track of the British Invasion era. The band gained major exposure including a notable appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show during their October visit to New York City. They also featured in the MGM film 'Get Yourself a College Girl', performing Chuck Berry's 'Around and Around.' This year cemented The Animals' place as a premier British rock group with a unique sound.
1965

Lineup Change and Continued Success

In 1965, internal tensions led to the departure of keyboardist Alan Price due to musical and personal differences, along with his discomfort with air travel. He was temporarily replaced by Mick Gallagher and subsequently by Dave Rowberry, who joined as the permanent keyboard player. Despite this lineup change, The Animals continued to release popular singles such as 'We Gotta Get Out of This Place' and 'It's My Life', maintaining their success in both Britain and America. Their sound remained firmly rooted in rhythm and blues, but they started to expand musically, foreshadowing future changes.
1966

Original Band Dissolution and Formation of Eric Burdon and the Animals

By 1966, The Animals experienced declining coherence and poor business management, which contributed to the original band's disbanding. Eric Burdon then formed a new incarnation called Eric Burdon and the Animals, moving the group to California. This new lineup took on a psychedelic and progressive rock direction, reflecting the changing musical landscape. They achieved notable hits like 'San Franciscan Nights', 'When I Was Young', and 'Sky Pilot'. This period marked a significant evolution in the band’s style, shifting from gritty blues rock to a more experimental, psychedelic sound.
1968

Reunion and Benefit Concert

The original lineup of The Animals reunited briefly in 1968 for a one-off benefit concert in their hometown of Newcastle. Although the reunion was short-lived, it signified the enduring bond between the original members and their lasting impact on rock music. This event also sparked several later reunion attempts and partial regroupings of the original members, though none achieved the continuity of their 1960s peak.
1975 & 1983

Brief Comebacks

In 1975 and again in 1983, The Animals briefly regrouped to tour and perform together. These comebacks capitalized on nostalgia for 1960s rock and allowed fans to experience the group's iconic sound live once more. Although these periods did not yield new studio albums, they were important in maintaining the band’s legacy and introducing their music to new audiences.
1994

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

The Animals' original lineup, consisting of Eric Burdon, Alan Price, Chas Chandler, Hilton Valentine, and John Steel, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. This honor recognized the band's significant contributions to rock music, particularly their role in the British Invasion and their influential blend of blues and rock. The induction immortalized their legacy as pioneers who helped shape the sound and attitude of rock music in the 1960s and beyond.

Albums

the-animals_1st_album
The Animals
12 tracks
1964
the-animals_2nd_album
The Animals
12 tracks
1964
the-animals_3rd_album
The Animals on Tour
12 tracks
1965
the-animals_4th_album
Animal Tracks
11 tracks
1965
the-animals_5th_album
Animal Tracks
10 tracks
1965
the-animals_8th_album
Animalization
12 tracks
1966
the-animals_6th_album
Animalisms
12 tracks
1966
the-animals_7th_album
Animalism
12 tracks
1966
the-animals_9th_album
Before We Were So Rudely Interrupted
10 tracks
1977
the-animals_10th_album
Ark
12 tracks
1983
📷
No Image
An Introduction to The Animals
16 tracks
2017
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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Hilton Valentine

N/A

Guitar

Bryan “Chas” Chandler

N/A

Bass

Eric Burdon

N/A

Lead vocals

Barry Jenkins

1966

Drums (drum set)

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

John Steel

N/A
1966

Drums (drum set)

Dave Rowberry

1965
2003

Keyboard

Organ

Alan Price

N/A
1965

Organ

Keyboard

Mick Gallagher

1965
N/A

Organ

Keyboard

Story of The Animals

The Animals: From Newcastle's Gritty Streets to Global Rock Icons

The Animals, a band born in the rough-and-tumble streets of Newcastle upon Tyne in 1963, became a pivotal force in the British Invasion. This iconic quintet, featuring the raspy-voiced Eric Burdon, the fiery guitar riffs of Hilton Valentine, the steady rhythm section of Chas Chandler on bass and John Steel on drums, and the soulful keyboard work of Alan Price, carved their own path in the world of rock 'n' roll.

Their sound, a potent blend of bluesy grit and raw energy, defined their early success. While they stormed the charts with pop-infused hits like "House of the Rising Sun," which topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic, they simultaneously delivered a deeper, rhythm-and-blues-driven experience on their albums. This duality solidified their place as one of the leading bands of the era.

The Animals' meteoric rise, fueled by hits like "We Gotta Get Out of This Place," "It's My Life," and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," was tragically cut short by internal turmoil and poor management. The original lineup disbanded in 1966, leaving a legacy of unforgettable music in their wake.

Burdon, undeterred, reformed the band with a fresh lineup, taking on the name Eric Burdon and the Animals. This new iteration, rooted in psychedelic and progressive rock, produced hits like "San Franciscan Nights" and "Sky Pilot" and cemented their status as musical pioneers.

While the original members briefly reunited in 1968 for a benefit concert, it wasn't until 1975 and again in 1983 that they graced the stage together. Despite numerous regroupings, the magic of the original Animals never truly replicated itself.

Their influence, however, remained undeniable. The Animals left an indelible mark on the history of rock, with a staggering 10 top-20 hits in both the UK and US. Their legacy was further solidified in 1994 when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

From their humble beginnings in Newcastle to their global fame, The Animals are a testament to the enduring power of raw talent, unwavering passion, and the undeniable spirit of rock 'n' roll.

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