Animals Group. History of creation

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The Animals (translated from English as "Animals") are an incredibly successful British rock band of the 60s. It is noteworthy that this group was one of the main representatives of the so-called British invasion: this is how it is customary to call a cultural phenomenon that occurred in the 60s, when the American music scene was overwhelmed by artists from England. Want to learn more about this group?

Create a group

The actual date of creation of this musical group can be considered 1959. This year, two residents of Newcastle - Alan Price (keyboardist) and Brian Chandler (bass guitarist) met while in a musical group called The Kansas City Five (translated from English as "Five from Kansas City"). Since both guys were fond of blues and jazz, soon, in the wake of common tastes, they decided to form their own group. Further, John Steel (drummer) joined the guys. Thus, a team was formed around whichin ten years, fans will form a real cult.

Further activities

Nevertheless, world fame and recognition was still far away. The musical group experienced certain difficulties - the Animals group was not in demand at that time. The fact is that its composition was incomplete. The guys were not invited to perform in clubs. It was believed that the Animals group did not correspond to the then concepts of a musical ensemble. However, the musicians did not despair - they invited friends and acquaintances to their performances. Thus, the group soon replenished with a talented guitarist and vocalist Hilton Valentine and Eric Burdon, who had rather extraordinary vocal abilities.

The group gradually gained momentum. The team increasingly performed in various nightclubs. Talented guys quickly absorbed professionalism and fame. By the end of 1963, the Animals had a decent reputation in and around Newcastle. This allowed the musicians to give a number of concerts with the then-famous bluesman Sonny Boy Williamson, who toured England. At the same time, it should be noted that these were not “opening up” performances, on the contrary, a full-fledged tour, during which Williamson played the guitar during some compositions of the British group, and the Animals members, in turn, took part in the performance of the bluesman’s songs.

In December 1963, the Animals group performed at a local club, and unexpectedly this event became fateful for the team. Part of the concert wasrecorded on small records, which were soon released in a limited edition (only 500 copies). One of the recordings accidentally fell into the hands of the London manager Giorgio Gomelsky, thanks to which the group migrated to London.

The group was at the height of their fame (photo of the Animals group can be seen below). The team regularly toured England. Sometimes the Animals toured with popular artists. For example, with Chuck Berry, The Swinging Blue Jeans (translated from English as “Suspended Blue Jeans”). Also, do not forget about the albums and singles that brought the musical group wide fame all over the world. Soon the Animals group went on tour to the United States of America, where they held a number of tours and concerts.

Team breakup

In 1965, the group released a new album, thanks to which the Animals topped the popular music charts. Nevertheless, a conflict was brewing within the team. The lead singer of the Animals group, Eric Burdon, wanted to perform classic American blues, but most of the musicians were against such a decision. In addition, Burdon could not share the lead with Alan Price. As a result, on May 5 of the same year, Alan left the Animals and created his own group. Soon the drummer John Steel left the band. The musicians quickly found a replacement. The guys recorded a new album called "Animalism", which took high positions in the charts, once again confirming the high status of the group. Still it didn't helpsolve chronic problems. As a result, the rock group "Animals" broke up.

Joint performances

Although the band broke up, two years later the Animals reconvened to play a show in Newcastle. In January 1976, the team again found itself on the same stage in its classic line-up. In the same year, it was decided to record a new album. The next time the Animals group reconvened only in 1983 and 1993, delighting crowds of fans.

Songs of the group "Animals"

"The Animals" have always had a rather atypical repertoire. If the bands of that time played successful songs of popular rock guitarists, then most of the Animals' repertoire consisted of blues compositions. Also it is impossible not to say about the manner of performance. In their songs, the Animals have always focused not on the guitar, like most rock bands, but on keyboards. In addition, the hallmark of the band is soloist Eric Burdon, who boasts a rather lively and expressive manner of performance. It is for this feature that the group got its original name.

Perhaps one of the band's most famous compositions is the single The House of the Rising Sun. The song has been known to the public for a long time because it has been recorded by various artists since 1933. Nevertheless, only thanks to the Animals, she became a real hit. The House of the Rising Sun, performed by The Animals, was ranked 122nd in the 500 best songs by the notorious Rolling Stones magazine. In addition, the group createdhits like Baby Let Me Take You Home, Boom Boom, Dont Let Me Be Misunderstood, Dimples, I Put A Spell On You, Im Mad Again and more.