One of the most successful bands to emerge in the 1960s British R&B boom, The
Animals won widespread respect for the rugged authenticity with which they
tackled blues-rooted pop, due in part to the wild singing of front man Eric
Burdon. Moving to London from Newcastle in 1964, they struck it big with their
howling version of the old blues favorite “House of the Rising Sun”, a Number 1
in both Britain and the US that proved influential to future rock, folk, and
blues. It triggered an impressive run of hits, including “Don't Let Me Be
Misunderstood”, “We Gotta Get Out of This Place...