14 January 2011

TGIF Rock-n-Roll Oldies: The Animals - 1965


The Animals were an influential English rock group from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, formed in the early 60s. They later in the decade relocated to the bustling London scene.

Known for their gritty, bluesy sound and deep-voiced frontman Eric Burdon, the band is best known for timeless classics such as "The House of the Rising Sun", "We Gotta Get Out of This Place", and "It's My Life" (below).

The Animals presented a unique blend of rock-oriented pop hits along with R&B material to fill out the albums.  Considered in the U.S. as part of the British Invasion, The Animals underwent numerous personnel changes over the years and like so many others of the era, suffered from poor business management. 

Later -under the name Eric Burdon and the Animals- they moved to California and yet again achieved commercial success, this time as a psychedelic rock band.  Hits of this era include "San Franciscan Nights" and "Sky Pilot". Guitarist Andy Summers was with the band in this period, who later went on to found The Police along with Sting and Stewart Copeland.

The band broke up in 1969, with the cover of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" released subsequently.

The original Animals lineup had a brief reunion in 1977 and then again in 1983. There have been several partial regroupings since then under various names, along with legal wrangling over the rights. The Animals were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994...


Wikipedia

Previous RR Rock n Roll Oldies features -here-