R.I.P. Hilton Valentine (21 May 1943 - 29 January 2021)

[Hepcat]

Hilton Valentine the original guitarist of the Animals passed away yesterday at the age of 77.

The Animals exploded onto the music scene in 1964 with a stunning rendition of House of the Rising Sun that took pop music to an unprecedented new high. Hilton Valentine's opening arpeggio set the tone for this all-time classic:

House of the Rising Sun

Valentine remained with the Animals until the September 1966 breakup of the original band and his guitar remained a key element in their recordings:

Bring It on Home to Me

Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood

It's My Life

Don't Bring Me Down

Hey Gyp

Together with the other original members he was part of the Animals' reunions in 1977 and 1983 in which they recorded the LPs Before We Were So Rudely Interrupted and Ark respectively. Here's a cut from the latter:

The Night

[Flower]

Hilton Valentine and Eric Burdon also promoted Goldie and the Gingerbreads.


"Playing a show at at the Wagon Wheel Club they were spotted by Eric Burdon and Hilton Valentine of The Animals who invited them to London. After a four week voyage Goldie and the Gingerbreads arrived in the UK, and opened shows for The Rolling Stones, The Animals, The Hollies, The Kinks and The Yardbirds ."

R.I.P. .. thanks for the music.