The guitarist and founder of the British band died at dawn this Sunday at the age of 77. The musician became famous, among other things, for the introduction of the song “House of the Rising Sun.”
Guitarist Hilton Valentine, the founder of the 1960s British pop group The Animals, has died at the age of 77, the band’s record label confirmed in a statement.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to Hilton Valentine’s family and friends on his passing this morning, at the age of 77.”
“A founding member and original guitarist of The Animals, Valentine was a pioneering guitar player influencing the sound of rock and roll for decades to come,” they added.
Born on May 21, 1943, in North Shields, North East England, Valentine founded The Animals in 1963 with singer Eric Burdon, bassist Chas Chandler, organist Alan Price, and drummer John Steel.
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The band formed by musicians of working-class origin rose to fame in 1964 with the interpretation of the American song House of the Rising Sun (The House of the Rising Sun) that remained several weeks at the top of the charts in the United Kingdom and the U.S.