A Historical Look at Eric and the Animals

In the 60s, the British Invasion began one February night on the nationally televised ‘Ed Sullivan Show’ with the four long haired boys known as the Beatles. Not far behind were great bands like Eric Burdon and the Animals. Let’s spend more time sharing fund facts about Eric and the boys…

The Animals actually broke up in 1966. The original 1963-1966 line up Eric Burdon, Chas Chandler, Alan Price, John Steel and Hilton Valentine, blew up in 1966. What was the cause of the break up? Alan claimed to have written their big hit “The House of the Rising Sun.” The lineup would completely turn over by April of 1968 with the exception of Eric Burdon.

The original Animals were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.

Bruce Springsteen credits the Animals for early influences in his songwriting and gritty sounds, and Tony Banks of the Phil Collins Genesis flavor credits the use of the organ as inspiration in his career.

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