Animal Tracks: The Story of the Animals, Newcastle's Rising Sons

by Sean Egan

The story of Eric Burdon and The Animals is the story of the Sixties. The original Animals were part of the British rhythm 'n' blues movement in the early years of that momentous decade - a movement whose love of a musical genre almost forgotten in its native America succeeded in "Bringing It All Back Home." Blessed in Eric Burdon with the most authentic white blues vocalist of their generation and a collective and astonishing capacity to reinvigorate old forms - most notably in transatlantic chart topper 'The House of the Rising Sun' - The Animals overcame bitter internecine rivalry to produce a string of truly classic singles that put them briefly on a par with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. They also gained a reputation for remarkable live shows that showcased Burdon's almost frightening commitment to their material. By 1967, though, both music and society were changing. A trip to love-infused, LSD-drenched San Francisco convinced Burdon that R&B was redundant. His new line-up of The Animals espoused the philosophy of Flower Power and made the shift to writing their own material. Their hits 'San Franciscan Nights' and 'Sky Pilot', as well as being brilliant records, fascinatingly freeze for posterity the concerns and issues of a particular time and place. However, the 'new' Animals' affi nity for peace-and-love was not reflected by relations within the band. After personnel upheavals and a terrifying tour of Japan in 1968, the group collapsed. Animal Tracks tells the story of both versions of The Animals. Additionally, it reveals the astonishing behind-the-scenes rancour that marked the ill-fated reunions of the original band. In this UPDATED AND EXPANDED version of his definitive Animals biography, Sean Egan draws on hours of interviews with surviving Animals, both original (Eric Burdon, John Steel, Hilton Valentine, Dave Rowberry, Barry Jenkins) and 'new' (Vic Briggs, John Weider, Zoot Money, Andy Summers) to produce a compelling portrait of a truly remarkable band. Egan has also been granted unprecedented access to band member journals and archives, enabling him to reveal the story behind the recording of each and every Animal Track.

Genres: Music

348 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2000

About the author

A freelance journalist, author and editor who writes about arts and entertainment (music, film, TV, comics and literature), social history (20th and 21st centuries) and sport (soccer and tennis history).

Reviews

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot of information about the development of the various bands that went on to become "The Animals", but the majority of the books is about the songs on the albums-who played on them, who wrote them, and the situations in which they occurred.

FACTS
-Tom Wilson produced the early Animals, and he was a producer for Bob Dylan, Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention, and The Velvet Underground. An Afro-American and graduate of Harvard, and a Republican!
-Hilton Valentine (lead guitar) Yes, That's his real name
-John Steel (drummer) Childhood friend of Burdon
-Chas Chandler (bass) Went on to a more successful career in managing Jimi Hendrix
and Slade. And, he was never really very proficient on the bass guitar.
-Alan Price (keyboards-organ piano) He and the manager tricked the band into giving
them all of the rights to "The House Of The Rising Son". They said that the revenue
would be split, but it never was.

The band was originally called, "The Alan Price Rhythm And Blues Combo"
Widely regarded as the most authentic Blues band from England, they went on to fully embrace the Hippie Scene in San Francisco. Although, when they relocated to the US, they settled in Los Angeles.
The band had numerous reformations with the original lineup even though they all agreed that Price had stolen from them. He hated the idea of the 'arpeggio' guitar intro, and left the original session in a storm. But, returned when the whole song had been written and arranged. Later, he took full credit.
Mike Jeffery is the manager who shared credit with Price. He ran a club in Newcastle
Micky Most probably was the most successful manager of the group. He was able to pick the most likely songs for chart success.

The author feels that although The Animals scored an unbelievable string of truly classic radio hits, they never delivered an album worthy of the greatness of the band.

Eric Burdon, although a swaggering English blues-man, became the quintessential hippie. Friends with all of the San Francisco bands, and eating acid like Owsley.

I would say that the book is more like an expanded Wikipedia entry, but essential if you have any interest in this classic rock group from the sixties.

[John Thompsett · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a fan of the Animals and their music then this is a must read.

[philip long · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book, but did find Eric a little bit annoying.

[Ralph L.Persichillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story about an underrated band







The royalties for house of the rising Sun.

H
The shame of the matter is that none of the originAl members ever got over Alan Price receiving allth

[Meremortal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough and objective backstory of the Animals, the underappreciated rock/blues band of the early 60s. Couldn't put it down, enjoyed it immensely.