Alan Price facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alan Price
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Price with the Animals in 1964
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| Background information | |
| Born | 19 April 1942 Fatfield, Washington, County Durham, England |
| Genres | Rock, blues rock, psychedelic rock, pop |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, singer, songwriter, musical arranger |
| Instruments | Keyboards, vocals |
| Years active | 1961–present |
| Labels | Decca, Parrot, Deram, CBS, Vertigo, Cotillion, Sanctuary, United Artists, Jet, Ariola, Polydor, Warner, Indigo, BGO, AP, Mooncrest |
| Associated acts | The Alan Price Rhythm and Blues Combo, the Alan Price Set, Price and Fame, Alan Price and Friends, the Animals, Eric Burdon, the Electric Blues Company, Bobby Tench, Zoot Money |
Alan Price (born 19 April 1942) is an English musician. He first became famous as the keyboard player for the rock band the Animals. He left the band in 1965 to start his own group, the Alan Price Set. He had many hit songs, including "Simon Smith and the Amazing Dancing Bear" and "Jarrow Song". Alan Price also worked in movies and TV. He sometimes acted and wrote music for films, like O Lucky Man! (1973). In 1994, he was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Animals.
Contents
Alan Price: A Music Journey
Early Life and Start in Music
Alan Price was born in Fatfield, a town in County Durham, England. He went to Jarrow Grammar School. He taught himself how to play music.
His Time with The Animals
Alan Price was a founding member of a group called the Alan Price Rhythm and Blues Combo. This band later changed its name to the Animals. His amazing organ playing was a big part of the band's success. You can hear his unique sound on famous songs like "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood".
As part of the Animals, he appeared on many TV shows. These included Ready Steady Go! and The Ed Sullivan Show. Alan Price left the band in 1965. This was due to different ideas about music and also because he had a fear of flying during tours.
He joined the Animals for three reunion tours between 1968 and 1984. During their last world tour in 1983, he performed his solo song "O Lucky Man". The band broke up for good in 1984. In 1994, Alan Price was honored by being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Animals.
Solo Career and The Alan Price Set
After leaving the Animals, Alan Price formed The Alan Price Set in 1965. The band included Price on keyboards, Clive Burrows on saxophone, Steve Gregory on saxophone, John Walters on trumpet, Peter Kirtley on guitar, Rod "Boots" Slade on bass, and "Little" Roy Mills on drums.
In 1966, he had solo success with the song "I Put a Spell on You", which reached number 9 in the UK music charts. Another hit, "Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo", reached number 11. In 1967, his song "The House That Jack Built" and the Randy Newman song "Simon Smith and His Amazing Dancing Bear" both reached number four.
Alan Price also hosted TV shows like Price To Play in the late 1960s. He performed and introduced music from guest artists like Fleetwood Mac and Jimi Hendrix. His second album, A Price on His Head (1967), featured seven songs by Randy Newman, who was not well-known at the time.
Later, he worked with another musician named Georgie Fame. Their song "Rosetta" became a top-20 hit in 1971. They also had a regular spot on The Two Ronnies TV show.
In 1974, Price released the album Between Today and Yesterday. The song "Jarrow Song" from this album became a hit, reaching number six in the UK charts. He continued to perform and write music throughout the years. He toured with his own band and other groups like the Manfreds.
Music for Movies and TV
Alan Price has been very involved with the work of film director Lindsay Anderson. He wrote the music for Anderson's film O Lucky Man! (1973). He even appeared in the movie, performing his own songs. This music won the 1974 BAFTA Award for Best Film Music. He also wrote the music for Anderson's last film, The Whales of August (1987).
Price acted as the main character in Alfie Darling (1975). He also wrote and sang the song "Time and Tide (I Don't Feel No Pain No More)" for the animated film The Plague Dogs (1982).
In 1977, Alan Price appeared on the TV show Saturday Night Live. He sang songs from the O Lucky Man! soundtrack. He also wrote theme songs for TV series, including Turtle's Progress (1979) and Andy Capp (1988).
Film Appearances
- "Get Yourself A College Girl" (1964) – Himself
- Dont Look Back (1967) – Himself
- O Lucky Man! (1973) – Alan, soundtrack
- Alfie Darling (1975) – Alfie Elkins, soundtrack
- Britannia Hospital (1982) – soundtrack
- The Plague Dogs (1982) – soundtrack
- Is That All There Is? (1993) – Himself
TV Appearances
- Ready, Steady, Go! – as the Alan Price Set (1966)
- Beat-Club – (1967–68)
- Top of the Pops – (1966, 1968)
- Disco – as Price and Fame (1971)
- The Two Ronnies – as himself (1972)
- Saturday Night Live – as himself (1977)
- Pop Quiz – as himself (1984)
- Heartbeat – Frankie Rio (2004)
Awards and Recognition
- 1974 Golden Globe nomination for O Lucky Man!
- 1973 BAFTA (Anthony Asquith Memorial Award) for O Lucky Man
Personal Life and Interests
Alan Price has been married twice and has two children. He is a big fan of the Sunderland A.F.C. football team. Interestingly, their rivals, Newcastle United, often used his version of "Blaydon Races" at their matches. In 2011, he helped with a charity event for Sunderland A.F.C.
Discography
See Also
In Spanish: Alan Price para niños
