Relive The Animals Reunion Performance Of ‘House of the Rising Sun’
On May 18, 1964, The Animals recorded what would become the most famous version of “House of the Rising Sun,” a song with roots that are still not clearly known. Over the years, it has become a classic that everyone seems to know, earning its place as one of the greatest songs of all time.
“House of the Rising Sun” has a unique sound that makes it unforgettable. The song’s magic comes from a mix of Eric Burdon’s deep and gritty voice, a striking guitar strum, and Alan Price’s intense organ chords. Together, they created something truly special. The song was already well-known, but The Animals’ version made it legendary. By 1965, The Animals were on tour with Chuck Berry, playing the song to audiences everywhere. At the time, they might not have realized they were reintroducing the world to a song that was as old and storied as New Orleans itself, the city that is often linked to its origins.
In 1983, the original members of The Animals reunited to release an album called Ark and went on a world tour. They added new band members, including Zoot Money on keyboards, Nippy Noya on percussion, Steve Gregory on saxophone, and Steve Grant on guitar. The album brought them back into the spotlight with their single “The Night,” which reached number 48 on the U.S. Pop Singles chart and number 34 on the Mainstream Rock chart. It also became a hit in Greece. They followed up with another single, “Love Is For All Time.”
The most memorable moment from their reunion tour was their performance of “House of the Rising Sun” in England. The song, filled with emotion and powerful storytelling, reminded everyone why it had become such a beloved classic.
Watch this performance in the video below.
