ERIC BURDON AND THE ANIMALS

Eric Burdon was lead singer of The Animals, formed during 1962 in Newcastle England. They combined electric blues with rock and were one of the leading bands of the "British Invasion." Along with, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Dave Clark Five, and The Kinks the group helped to introduce the world to British music and fashion. Burdon's powerful voice can be heard in The Animals singles "The House of the Rising Sun", "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", "Bring It On Home to Me", "We've Gotta Get Out of This Place", "Don't Bring Me Down", and "CC Rider".

Eric Burdon and The Animals were the 1960's to me. What a voice on that man! So gifted and so ahead of his time. Eric Burdon is a bit overlooked in music history if you ask me. Burdon's music evolved with the generation of his audience. His music is timeless. Listen to Monterey HERE

Sky Pilot, House of the Rising Sun, We Gotta Get Outta This Place are all favorites. But my all time favorite is Don't Bring Me Down. That opening keyboard with jolting opening lyric.

Songs of the 60's up to this point were "sunshine, lollipops, Beatles and surf music. When Eric growls "When you complain and criticize.... Oh man that was really different. Those songs are still just as great today.

I'm just a soul whose intentions are good....Please don't let me be misunderstood...

During 1969, while living in San Francisco, Burdon joined forces with Californian Funk rock band War. The resulting album was entitled Eric Burdon Declares "War" which produced the singles "Spill the Wine" and "Tobacco Road". A two-disc set entitled The Black-Man's Burdon, was released later in September 1970 along. The singles from the double album, "Paint it Black" and "They Can't Take Away Our Music" had moderate success during 1971. During this time Burdon collapsed on the stage during a concert, caused by an asthma attack and War continued the tour without him.

In 1976 a compilation album Love Is All Around was released by Rhino Records which had recordings of Eric Burdon with War and a live version of "Paint it Black" and a jam session called "A Day In The Life".