Eric Victor Burdon (born 11 May 1941, Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne) was the lead singer of The Animals and War before becoming a solo artist. Career He was a founding member and vocalist of the Animals, a band originally formed in Newcastle in the early 1960s. The Animals were one of the leading bands of the "British Invasion", and the band had quite a following around the world. Along with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Dave Clark Five, and Gerry and The Pacemakers, they introduced British music and fashion to an entire generation in an explosion of great tunes and outspoken attitude on, and off the stage. Burdon sang on such Animal classics as "The House of the Rising Sun", "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", "Bring It On Home to Me", "See See Rider" and "We've Gotta Get Out of This Place". The Animals combined the traditional blues with rock to create a unique sound. Original Animals members keyboardist Alan Price and drummer John