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List of the Animals band members

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Five line-ups of The Animals performing in 1964, 1967, 2008, 2015 and 2016

The Animals are an English rock band founded as Alan Price Rhythm and Blues Combo in 1962, by Eric Burdon (vocals), Alan Price (keyboards), Hilton Valentine (guitar), John Steel (drums) and Bryan "Chas" Chandler (bass).[1][2] Two versions of the band currently exist one is led by Steel under the name Animals and Friends and another is led by Burdon under the name Eric Burdon and the Animals, which is also the name the band went by between 1966–1969 after all other original band members had departed.[3]

Steel's version includes Steel (since 1994), guitarist and vocalist Danny Handley (since 2009), keyboardist Barney Williams (since 2022) and bassist and vocalist Norman Helm (since 2023). Burdon's version has been active since 2016 and features Davey Allen (keyboards, vocals), Dustin Koester (drums, vocals), Justin Andres (bass, vocals), Johnzo West (guitar, vocals), Ruben Salinas (saxophone, flute) and Evan Mackey (trombone).[4]

History

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1962–1969 Original run

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Formed in Newcastle upon Tyne during 1962 and 1963 when Burdon joined the Alan Price Rhythm and Blues Combo, the original lineup was Burdon (vocals), Price (organ and keyboards), Hilton Valentine (guitar), John Steel (drums) and Bryan "Chas" Chandler (bass),[5][6] they changed their name to the Animals.

By May 1965, the group was starting to feel internal pressures. Price left because of personal and musical differences, as well as his fear of flying while on tour.[7] He went on to a successful career as a solo artist and with the Alan Price Set. Mick Gallagher filled in for Price on keyboards[8] for a short time until Dave Rowberry replaced Gallagher.[9]

The Animals assembled a big band to play at the fifth annual British Jazz and Blues Festival in Richmond. The Animals Big Band made their one public appearance on 5 August 1965. In addition to Burdon, Rowberry, Valentine, Chandler and Steel, the band featured a brass/horn section of Ian Carr, Kenny Wheeler and Greg Brown on trumpet and Stan Robinson, Al Gay, Dick Morrissey and Paul Carroll on saxophone.

In February 1966, Steel left and was replaced by Barry Jenkins. Burdon began work on a solo album called Eric Is Here, By this time, the Animals' business affairs "were in a total shambles" according to Chandler (who went on to manage Jimi Hendrix and produce Slade) and the group disbanded.

A group with Burdon, Jenkins and new sidemen John Weider (guitar/violin/bass), Vic Briggs (guitar/piano) and Danny McCulloch (bass) was formed under the name Eric Burdon and Animals (or sometimes Eric Burdon and the New Animals) in December 1966. Zoot Money was added to the lineup in April 1968, initially as organist/pianist only, but upon McCulloch's departure, he also took on bass and occasional lead vocals.[10] In July 1968, Andy Summers (later the guitarist for the Police) replaced Briggs. Both Money and Summers were formerly of British psychedelic outfit Dantalian's Chariot. By December 1968, this incarnation of the Animals had dissolved.

1968– Reunions

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The original Animals lineup of Burdon, Price, Valentine, Chandler and Steel reunited for a benefit concert in Newcastle in December 1968 and reformed in late 1975 to record again.[11] They embarked on a brief tour in 1976 and shot videos for their new songs such as "Lonely Avenue" and "Please Send Me Someone to Love". They released an album in 1977 that was aptly titled Before We Were So Rudely Interrupted.[12]

On 12 December 1982, Burdon performed with Price and a complete lineup, foreshadowing future events.

All five original band members reunited in 1983 for the album Ark and a world concert tour, supplemented by Zoot Money on keyboards, Nippy Noya on percussion, Steve Gregory on saxophone and Steve Grant on guitar.

In the 1990s, Danny McCulloch, from the later-1960s Animals, released several albums as the Animals.[13] The albums contained covers of some original Animals songs, as well as new ones written by McCulloch.

In 1992, Barry Jenkins joined a reconstituted version of the Animals, including "New Animals" members Vic Briggs and Danny McCulloch along with new percussionist Jack McCulloch and Phil Ryan instead of Eric Burdon on lead vocals. The band played the first rock concert held in Red Square, Moscow, as part of a benefit concert for the victims of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.[14]

Also in 1992, Hilton Valentine formed the Animals II from a local North East band he was playing with called The Alligators, and was joined by Steel in 1994 and Rowberry in 1999. Other members of this version of the band include Robert Kane (now vocalist with Dr. Feelgood), Steve Hutchinson, Steve Dawson (now guitarist with Geordie) and Martin Bland.

From 1999 until Valentine's departure in 2001, the band toured under the name the Animals. This version featured Tony Liddle on lead vocals backed by Valentine, Steel, Rowberry and Jim Rodford. Chris Allen occasionally depped for Rodford (while he was playing with The Zombies). Steve Farrell contributed backing vocals and hand percussion.

After Valentine left this line up in Summer 2001, Steel and Rowberry continued with Steve Dawson, who returned to replace Valentine until the Winter of 2002. The band then morphed into Animals and Friends, with Peter Barton on vocals, Rodford, and John E. Williamson on guitar. When Rowberry died in 2003, he was replaced by Mick Gallagher (who had briefly replaced Price in 1965). Danny Handley joined the band in 2009, initially as lead guitarist, but replaced Barton on lead vocals when Barton retired in 2012. Scott Whitley had a brief tenure in the band before Roberto "Bobby" Ruiz took over on bass. This successful lineup continues to tour the world with guests such as Steve Cropper and Spencer Davis. In 2022, Barney Williams replaced Gallagher due to the latter's ill health.[15]

In 2016, Burdon formed the current lineup of Eric Burdon and the Animals, including Johnzo West (guitar/vocals), Davey Allen (keys/vocals), Dustin Koester (drums/vocals), Justin Andres (bass guitar/vocals), Ruben Salinas (sax/flute) and Evan Mackey (trombone).[16]

Members

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Original band

[edit]
Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Fanclub1967Animals6.jpg
Eric Burdon
  • 1963–1966
  • 1975–1976
  • 1983
vocals All Animals releases
Hilton Valentine.jpg
Hilton Valentine
  • 1963–1966
  • 1975–1976
  • 1983 (died 2021)
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
Chas Chandler (cropped).jpg
Chas Chandler
  • 1963–1966
  • 1975–1976
  • 1983 (died 1996)
  • bass
  • vocals
John Steel drummer 1964 (cropped).jpg
John Steel
  • 1963–1966
  • 1975–1976
  • 1983
drums
Alan Price - the Animals (cropped).jpg
Alan Price
  • 1963–1965
  • 1975–1976
  • 1983
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
All Animals releases except Animalisms (1966; UK), Animalization (1966; US) and Animalism (1966; US)
Mick Gallagher Photo Ph.BRIZARD.jpg
Mick Gallagher 1965 none
Dave Rowberry 1965–1966 (died 2003)
Fanclub1967Animals1.jpg
Barry Jenkins 1966 drums
  • Animalisms (1966; UK)
  • Animalization (1966; US)
  • Animalism (1966; US)
  • The Best of The Animals (1966)
  • The Most of the Animals (1966)
Zoot Money 1983 (died 2024) keyboards
Steve Grant.jpg
Steve Grant 1983
  • guitar
  • synthesiser
  • backing vocals
Steve Gregory saxophones
Nipi_Noya1.JPG
Nippy Noya percussion

Current members

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Animals and Friends

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
John_Steel_The_Animals_drummer.jpg
John Steel 1994–present drums none
The Animals and Friends - Danny Handley 15 (18715569208).jpg
Danny Handley 2009–present
  • guitar
  • vocals
Barney Williams 2022–present keyboards
Norman Helm 2023–present
  • bass
  • vocals

Eric Burdon and The Animals

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Eric Burdon.jpg
Eric Burdon
  • 1966–1968
  • 2016–present
vocals all releases
Davey Allen 2016–present
  • keyboards
  • vocals
none
Dustin Koester
  • drums
  • vocals
Justin Andres
  • bass
  • vocals
Johnzo West
  • guitar
  • vocals
Ruben Salinas
  • saxophone
  • flute
Evan Mackey trombone

Former members

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Animals and Friends/Animals II/Valentine's Animals

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Hilton Valentine (headshot).jpg
Hilton Valentine 1992–2001 (died 2021) guitar none
Robert Kane 1992–1999 vocals
Joss Elliott 1992–1994 bass
George Fearon guitar
Dave Dodsworth drums
Steve Hutchinson 1994–1999 keyboards
Fred Hill 1994–1995 bass
Dave Whiffin guitar
Steve Dawson
  • 1995–1999
  • 2001–2002
Martin Bland 1995–1999 bass
Steve 'ih' Farrell 1999
  • backing vocals
  • percussion
Tony Liddle
  • 1999–2001
  • 2001–2002
vocals
Eamon Cronin 2001
Ray Davies - Jim Rodford with The Kinks 1979 (cropped).jpg
Jim Rodford 1999–2003 (died 2018) bass
Dave Rowberry 1999–2003 (until his death) keyboards
Pete Barton 2001–2011
  • vocals
  • bass
  • guitar
John E. Williamson 2001–2009
  • guitar
  • vocals
The Animals and Friends - Mick Gallagher 1 (18717092709).jpg
Mick Gallagher 2003–2022
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
The Animals and Friends - Scott Whitley 2 (18717124809).jpg
Scott Whitley 2011–2012
  • bass
  • vocals
Roberto Ruiz 2012–2023
  • bass
  • vocals

Eric Burdon and The Animals

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Fanclub1967Animals2.jpg
Barry Jenkins 1966–1968
  • drums
  • backing vocals
all Eric Burdon and The Animals releases
John Weider
  • guitar
  • bass
  • violin
  • backing vocals
Fanclub1967Animals4.jpg
Vic Briggs 1966–1968 (died 2021)
  • guitar
  • piano
  • bass
Fanclub1967Animals7.jpg
Danny McCulloch 1966–1968 (died 2015)
  • bass
  • vocals
  • guitar
Zoot Money 1968 (died 2024)
  • keyboards
  • bass
  • vocals
Andy_Summers_with_guitar_2015.jpg
Andy Summers 1968
  • guitar
  • bass
  • backing vocals

Timeline

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Line-ups

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Period Members Releases
1963 – May 1965

The Animals

May 1965
  • Eric Burdon – vocals
  • Chas Chandler – bass, backing vocals
  • John Steel – drums
  • Hilton Valentine – guitar, backing vocals
  • Mick Gallagher – keyboards
May 1965 – February 1966
  • Eric Burdon – vocals
  • Chas Chandler – bass, vocals
  • John Steel – drums
  • Hilton Valentine – guitar, backing vocals
  • Dave Rowberry – keyboards
February–September 1966
  • Eric Burdon – vocals
  • Chas Chandler – bass, vocals
  • Hilton Valentine – guitar, backing vocals
  • Dave Rowberry – keyboards
  • Barry Jenkins – drums
December 1966 – April 1968

Eric Burdon and the Animals

April–July 1968
  • Eric Burdon – vocals
  • Barry Jenkins – drums
  • Vic Briggs – guitar, piano, bass
  • Danny McCulloch – bass, vocals, guitar
  • John Weider – guitar, violin, celeste
  • Zoot Money – keyboards, vocals
July–December 1968
  • Eric Burdon – vocals
  • Barry Jenkins – drums, backing vocals
  • John Weider – guitar, bass (live), violin, backing vocals
  • Zoot Money – keyboards, bass (studio), vocals
  • Andy Summers – bass (live), guitar, backing vocals
December 1968 – 1975 Disbanded
1975 – 1976

The Animals

  • Eric Burdon – vocals
  • Chas Chandler – bass
  • Alan Price – keyboards
  • John Steel – drums
  • Hilton Valentine – guitar
1976–1983 Disbanded
September–December 1983
  • Eric Burdon – vocals
  • Chas Chandler – bass, backing vocals
  • Alan Price – keyboards, backing vocals
  • John Steel – drums
  • Hilton Valentine– guitar
  • Steve Grant – guitar, synthesiser, backing vocals
  • Steve Gregory – saxophones
  • Zoot Money – keyboards
  • Nippy Noya – percussion
Ark (1983)
1983–1992 Disbanded
1992

Valentine's Animals

  • Hilton Valentine – guitar
  • Robert Kane – vocals
  • Joss Elliott – bass
  • George Fearon – guitar
  • Dave Dodsworth – drums
none
1994–1995

Animals II

  • Hilton Valentine – guitar
  • Robert Kane – vocals
  • Steve Hutchinson – keyboards
  • Dave Whiffin – guitar
  • Fred Hill – bass
  • John Steel – drums
1995–1999
  • Hilton Valentine – guitar
  • Robert Kane – vocals
  • Steve Hutchinson– keyboards
  • John Steel – drums
  • Steve Dawson – guitar
  • Martin Bland – bass
1999
  • Hilton Valentine – guitar
  • Robert Kane – vocals
  • Steve Hutchinson– keyboards
  • John Steel – drums
  • Steve Dawson – guitar
  • Martin Bland – bass
  • Steve 'ih' Farrell – backing vocals live
1999–2001

The Animals

  • Hilton Valentine – guitar
  • John Steel – drums
  • Tony Liddle – vocals
  • Jim Rodford – bass
  • Dave Rowberry – keyboards
2001
  • Hilton Valentine – guitar
  • John Steel – drums
  • Jim Rodford – bass
  • Dave Rowberry – keyboards
  • Eamon Cronin – vocals
2001–2002
  • Steve Dawson – guitar
  • John Steel – drums
  • Jim Rodford – bass
  • Dave Rowberry – keyboards
  • Tony Liddle – vocals
2001–2003

Animals and Friends

  • John Steel – drums
  • Jim Rodford – bass
  • Dave Rowberry – keyboards
  • Pete Barton – vocals, guitar
  • John E. Williams – guitar, vocals
2003–2009

Animals and Friends

  • John Steel – drums
  • Pete Barton – bass, vocals
  • John E. Williams – guitar, vocals
  • Mick Gallagher – keyboards
2009–2011

Animals and Friends

  • John Steel – drums
  • Pete Barton – bass, vocals
  • Mick Gallagher – keyboards
  • Danny Handley – guitar, vocals
2011–2012

Animals and Friends

  • John Steel – drums
  • Mick Gallagher – keyboards
  • Danny Handley – guitar, vocals
  • Scott Whitley – bass, vocals
2012–2022

Animals and Friends

  • John Steel – drums
  • Mick Gallagher – keyboards
  • Danny Handley – guitar, vocals
  • Roberto Ruiz – bass, vocals
2022–2023

Animals and Friends

  • John Steel – drums
  • Danny Handley – guitar, vocals
  • Roberto Ruiz – bass, vocals
  • Barney Williams – keyboards
2023–present

Animals and Friends

  • John Steel – drums
  • Danny Handley – guitar, vocals
  • Barney Williams – keyboards
  • Norman Helm – bass, vocals
Period Members Releases
2016–present

Eric Burdon and the Animals[17]

  • Eric Burdon – vocals
  • Davey Allen – keyboards, vocals
  • Dustin Koester – drums, vocals
  • Justin Andres – bass, vocals
  • Johnzo West – guitar, vocals
  • Ruben Salinas – saxophone, flute
  • Evan Mackey – trombone

References

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  1. ^ The Animals Rock andll Hall of Fame, 1994. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
  2. ^ The Animals: Biography AllMusic Retrieved 28 February 2011.
  3. ^ Transatlantic Roots Music: Folk, Blues, and NationalIdentities. University Press of Mississippi. 2 July 2012. p. 117. ISBN 978-1496834935.
  4. ^ "Eric Burdon". Ericburdon.com. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  5. ^ The Animals Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 1994. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
  6. ^ The Animals: Biography AllMusic Retrieved 28 February 2011.
  7. ^ Making Time The Animals. Retrieved 2 November 2007.
  8. ^ "INTERVIEW: Mick Gallagher - the Animals". 25 November 2019.
  9. ^ "Dave Rowberry". Independent.co.uk. 8 June 2003.
  10. ^ Lime, Harry. The Animals. ISBN 9780244792275.
  11. ^ Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll. Rolling Stone Touchstone. 2001. p. 22.
  12. ^ "The Animals Biography | The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum". Rockhall.com. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
  13. ^ "In Memoriam: Danny McCulloch – No Treble". No Treble. 17 February 2015. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  14. ^ "Antion".
  15. ^ Scott, David (14 March 2022). "The Animals: 60 Years On The Road and Still Counting". American Blues Scene. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  16. ^ "Eric Burdon". Ericburdon.com. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  17. ^ "BAND". ericburdon.