The Animals were a British rock band that emerged in the early 1960s. The band consisted of five members – Eric Burdon on lead vocals, Hilton Valentine on guitar, Chas Chandler on bass, Alan Price on keyboards, and John Steel on drums.
The band’s biggest hit was their version of “The House of the Rising Sun,” a traditional folk song that they transformed into a rock classic. The song was a massive success, topping the charts in both the UK and the US.
The Animals’ music was heavily influenced by American blues and R&B, and they were known for their energetic live performances. Their other hit songs included “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” “We Gotta Get Out of This Place,” and “It’s My Life.”
The band went through several lineup changes over the years, with Burdon leaving in 1966 to pursue a solo career. Despite these changes, The Animals continued to release music and tour throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
Today, The Animals are remembered as one of the most influential bands of the British Invasion era. Their mix of blues and rock laid the groundwork for countless other artists, and their legacy lives on through their iconic songs like “The House of the Rising Sun.”