Eric Burdon

The Animals from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, were part of the musical “British Invasion” of the mid-sixties, and responsible for some of that period’s greatest hits.

The original lineup of Eric Burdon, Alan Price, Chas Chandler, Hilton Valentine, and John Steel, were only together for two years. Alan Price left in 1965 and Chas Chandler departed the group in 1966 after which he helped to establish the career of Jimi Hendrix as his manager.

Eric, the distinctive lead vocalist, would remain as the band’s leader and together with a successful solo career would continue to keep the group’s name alive.

Throughout the years there were several attempts to reunite the original members and in 1983 a full reunion finally occurred. They recorded a new album Ark, and went out on tour. They visited my show on July 22, 1983, having played the Capitol Theatre in Passaic, NJ the night before and preceding a show that night at the “Dr. Pepper at the Pier” Concert Series in Manhattan.

I spoke with Eric about their biggest hit.