The Animals was a British rock band formed in Newcastle in the early 1960s around Eric Burdon, Alan Price, Chas Chandler, Hilton Valentine and John Steel. The group became known for a dark, powerful sound blending rock, blues, rhythm and blues and soul influences, driven by Eric Burdon’s intense voice and highly expressive performances. With iconic songs such as The House of the Rising Sun, We Gotta Get Out of This Place and Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, The Animals became one of the defining bands of the British Invasion.