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Eric Burdon

Founding member and vocalist of the Animals, a band originally formed in Newcastle in the early 1960s. The Animals were one of the leading bands of the "British Invasion", and the band had worldwide following. Along with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Dave Clark Five, and Gerry and The Pacemakers, they introduced British music and fashion to an entire generation in an explosion of outspoken music and attitude, on and off the stage. Burdon sang on such Animal classics as "The House of the Rising Sun", "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", "Bring It On Home to Me", "See See Rider" and "We've Gotta Get Out of This Place". The Animals combined the traditional blues with rock to create a unique sound.

Original Animals members keyboardist Alan Price and drummer John Steel quit, and were replaced by Dave Rowberry and Barry Jenkins respectively. By 1966 the other members had left, except for Barry Jenkins, and the band was reformed as Eric Burdon and the Animals, which featured future Family member John Weider and future The Police guitarist Andy Summers. This incarnation had hits with songs such as "When I Was Young", "San Franciscan Nights", "Sky Pilot" and "Monterey".

This ensemble lasted until 1969, going through several line-up changes, and changing the name from Eric Burdon and the Animals to Eric Burdon and the New Animals.

Burdon is claimed by some to be the 'Eggman' from The Beatles song "I Am The Walrus". The reason for this is that Burdon was known as 'Eggs' to his friends, originating from his fondness for breaking eggs over naked girls. Burdon's biography mentions such an affair taking place in the presence of John Lennon, who shouted "Go on, go get it, Eggman ..."[1]

When the New Animals disbanded, Burdon joined forces with funky California jam band War. The resulting album, Eric Burdon Declares "War" yielded the classics "Spill the Wine" and "Tobacco Road". A second Burdon and War album, a two-disc set, The Black-Man's Burdon, was released later in 1970.

Burdon received a phone call on 18 September 1970 from Monika Dannemann, informing him that her boyfriend Jimi Hendrix was not waking up and was unresponsive. He told her to call him an ambulance.

In 1971 Burdon began a solo career. Around this time, he also recorded the album Guilty! (later released on CD as Black & White Blues) with the blues shouter Jimmy Witherspoon and also featuring Ike White & the San Quentin Prison Band.

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Catching Up With

Eric Burdon’s Summer of Love

Read "Eric Burdon’s Summer of Love" reviewed by Walter Atkins


Eric Burdon's raw unmistakable voice, that gave the world blues and rock gems like “We Gotta Get Out Of This Place" and “Misunderstood," helped to fuel the 1960's British Invasion. Burdon and the Animals will be performing Sunday at San Francisco's Stern Grove Festival as part of the ongoing “Summer Of Love" 50th Anniversary celebration. All About Jazz: How does it feel to be back in San Francisco performing at the Stern Grove Festival with the Animals?

406
Live Review

Eric Burdon and the Animals At Stern Grove Festival

Read "Eric Burdon and the Animals At Stern Grove Festival" reviewed by Walter Atkins


Eric Burdon and the Animals Stern Grove Summer Of Love 50th Anniversary San Francisco, CA July 16, 2017 Influential Eric Burdon and the Animals gleefully rocked the Stern Grove Festival on a perfect mid July Sunday afternoon. His lethal band of Animals included: guitarist Johnzo West, keyboardist Davey Allen, bassist Justin Andres, trombonist Evan Mackey, saxophonist Ruben Salinas and drummer Dustin Koester. The clear warm day started with the City's ...

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Live Review

Eric Burdon & the Animals at the NYCB Theatre at Westbury

Read "Eric Burdon & the Animals at the NYCB Theatre at Westbury" reviewed by Mike Perciaccante


Eric Burdon & the Animals with special guest the Edgar Winter Group NYCB Theatre at Westbury Westbury, NY August 28, 2015 Eric Burdon is an iconic member of the '60s British Blues Invasion. Burdon's band, the Animals, along with the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Hollies, the Dave Clark Five and the Kinks introduced American youth to British music, fashion and culture. As the lead singer of the Animals, Burdon was the ...

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