Hilton Valentine, guitarist with the Animals, dies aged 77

Another part of my youth is no longer with us.

Hilton played the opening riff on " The House Of The Rising Sun " one of the most iconic songs of the 1960's and in fact in the history of popular music.

I remember as a young lad this song being Number 1 in the UK Charts whilst i was on holiday in Devon during the summer of 1964. One of those memories that always stay with you.

R.I.P. Hilton and thank you for your music.

www.bbc.co.uk...

I had the pleasure of working with Hilton valentine 5.5 years ago. One of my punk rock heroes...yes, The Animals I consider one of the first punk bands.

He was playing a tribute show with Mark Hudson for Lennon's birthday. I was was FOH audio, and monitors for the show. I had a Pilsner with him in the green room and he signed my Ark album.

RIP Hilton. My prayers to your family.


ETA:

m.youtube.com...

That was the first song I learned how to play. Still play it 50 years later.

a reply to: alldaylong

The Animals were one of the greats.
Rock and roll pioneers.





One of the best-anti-war songs ever.

a reply to: theatreboy

One of my punk rock heroes...yes, The Animals I consider one of the first punk bands.

That's a fact.

a reply to: alldaylong

I was 17. I was caravaning to Idaho to raft on a river there when this one came on the radio. I heard it twice before we pushed off into the river and thrilled to the hope that it would still be playing a week later when we got back to civilization. It was and still remains one of my picks for best ever rock.

a reply to: theatreboy

And Animals bass player Chas Chandler was the man who discovered Jimi Hendrix.

I truly believe The Animals don't get enough credit when it comes to music influence and history.

In my opinion the 60s era version of Eric Burdon has one of the greatest , most evocative and powerful voices in all of music...

RIP Hilton Valentine.

a reply to: opethPA

This so true.