A performance by the original Animals was one of the first concerts I ever attended. During 1966 they were touring the United States with Herman’s Hermits but their performance at the Cape Cod A-Go-Go Club was just them and a local band, whose name has completely disappeared from my mind during the intervening 47 years. In fact I had to Google The Animals' 1966 tour to pinpoint the date, which was August 2, 1966.
The summer of 1966 was my first time living away from home, as I worked in the kitchen of a camp on Cape Cod. It was a summer of work, coming of age, and expanding my musical horizons. I don’t remember a lot about the performance but it had an impact, as all of their early albums adorned my growing music collection and opened my mind to seek music outside the orbit of The Beach Boys and Roy Orbison.
Nearly a half century later I still have a loyalty and affection for the bands of my youth. As with many music lovers they form a connection to a time long past, the memories of which age well if inaccurately at times. I have lost track of Eric Burdon for periods of time but he always seems to resurface.
Time has passed for myself and Eric Burdon. Now in his early 70s, he is one of the grand old men of the original British music invasion and of rock and roll itself. His journey toward the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame began with The Animals who occupied the middle ground between rock and blues. They managed to strike a chord with the music mainstream with such hits as “House of the Rising Sun,” “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” and “It’s My Life” among others.
The second half of the 1960s found him embracing the California lifestyle and culture with such hits as “San Franciscan Nights,” “Monterey,” and “Sky Pilot.” They may have been a little self-indulgent but they were good vehicles for his gritty vocals.
Article comments
1 - Guest
Muddy Waters was great, but he didn't have a hand in writing the classic "Before You Accuse Me". The song was 100% written by Bo Diddley.
2 - dale bryant
I was at the show that night. It was my brother's band, the Beau Brines, consisting of my half- brother, Barry Knisley on lead guitar, my cousin "Binky" Andersen on drums, lead singer Mike Welch, Steve Kenney on bass and Herbie Barrows on Farfisa organ that opened for the Animals. It was a Battle of the Bands type show. BTW, I was 8 years old.
3 - dale bryant
Just wanted to add, lead singer of the Beau Brines, Mike Welch is the brother of "Lori Lori" Welch, currently of FM radio's PIXY 103 from Hyannis.
4 - David Bowling
Thanks Dale! Good memories. I was 16 years old. For some reason I have a clearer memory of seeing The Barbarians that summer.