Hilton Valentine, the original guitarist for The Animals, has died at age 77.
The Animals formed with Valentine was asked by Chas Chandler to join the Alan Price Combo in 1963. The band already featured Eric Burdon and John Steel.
Valentine created the electric guitar arpeggio at the start of The Animals 1964 hit ‘The House of the Rising Sun’.
In a statement Eric Burdon paid tribute to his former band mate saying, “The opening opus of Rising Sun will never sound the same!… You didn’t just play it, you lived it! Heartbroken by the sudden news of Hilton’s passing. We had great times together, Geordie lad. From the North Shields to the entire world…Rock In Peace”
Hilton Valentine was with The Animals until 1966. He relocated to the USA. In 1994 he was inducted with the other original members into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
A statement from Abkco Records mentions that “Hilton Valentine released a solo album in 1969 entitled “All in Your Head” for Capitol Records. He later reunited with the Animals three times thereafter and recorded “Before We Were So Rudely Interrupted” with the band in 1977 and joined them again in 1983. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with his former bandmates in 1994. In May 2001, he was inducted into Hollywood’s Rock Walk of Fame along with the other Animals and had a two-night reunion concert at the El Rey Theatre.
“In recent years, Valentine who lived in Connecticut, returned to skiffle music and formed the band Skiffledog that toured in the US and released 2 albums. In 2011 he recorded a holiday album with Big Boy Pete called Merry Skifflemas referred to on the package as a “festive blend of traditional oldies and original newbies.” He joined Eric Burdon on tour in 2007-08, with whom he remained close”.
Mickey Gallagher (Animal in 1965 and later of Ian Dury and the Blockheads) and original member John Steele will tour Australia and New Zealand in October.
The Animals 2021 Australian and NZ Tour Dates
October 2021
Thursday 28th – Perth – Charles Hotel
Friday 29th – Adelaide – The Gov
Saturday 30th – Northcote – Northcote Social Club
Sunday 31st – Belgrave – Sooki Lounge
November 2021
Tuesday 2nd – Auckland – Tuning Fork
Wednesday 3rd – Wellington – San Fran
Tuesday 9th – Newcastle – Lizottes
Wednesday 10th – Sawtell – Sawtell RSL
Saturday 13th – Sydney – Factory Theatre
Sunday 14th – Wollongong – Centro CBD
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