The Animals

Formed in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1963 and rising to fame in 1964, The Animals were a seminal English rock band of the British Invasion, renowned for their gritty, bluesy sound and the powerful, deep-voiced vocals of frontman Eric Burdon. The classic lineup—comprising Burdon, Alan Price (keyboards), Hilton Valentine (guitar), Chas Chandler (bass), and John Steel (drums)—achieved transatlantic success with their 1964 signature hit "House of the Rising Sun," followed by other notable hits like "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" and "We Gotta Get Out of This Place". Known for bringing a working-class, R&B-focused intensity to the era's pop scene, the band suffered from internal conflicts and financial mismanagement, causing the original lineup to splinter by 1966. Subsequent iterations, including "Eric Burdon and the New Animals," embraced a more psychedelic sound in California before the group fully disbanded in 1969, though they later reunited for brief periods. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, The Animals are recognized for their profound influence on rock music, with their songs having been covered by artists ranging from Bruce Springsteen to the Ramones.