Eric Burdon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eric Burdon
|
|
|---|---|
Burdon performing at the Audimax in Hamburg, Germany, 1973
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Eric Victor Burdon |
| Born | 11 May 1941 Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne, England |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Years active | 1960–present |
| Labels | |
Eric Victor Burdon (born 11 May 1941) is an English singer and songwriter. He is famous for his powerful voice and exciting stage shows. Eric was the lead singer for two well-known bands: The Animals and War.
Many people consider him one of the most unique singers from the British Invasion. This was a time when British music became very popular in America. In 2008, Rolling Stone magazine listed him as one of the "100 Greatest Singers of All Time."
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Eric Burdon was born in 1941 in Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne, England. His family was working class. He had a younger sister named Irene. Eric's middle name, Victor, was chosen because the mayor of Newcastle offered a reward for patriotic names.
Eric found school difficult at first. He often had asthma attacks because of the air in Newcastle. However, a teacher helped him get into Newcastle College of Art and Industrial Design. This changed his life.
At college, he studied graphics and photography. He met John Steel, who would become the first drummer for The Animals. Eric also met other young people who loved jazz, folk, and movies.
Eric spent time at a local jazz club called The Downbeat. He and his friends were big fans of American music. Eric became good friends with American guitarist Jimi Hendrix in the 1960s. He was also friends with John Lennon from the Beatles. Eric says he was the inspiration for the "eggman" in The Beatles' song "I Am the Walrus."
Music Career Highlights
Eric Burdon has had a long and successful career in music. He has been part of famous bands and also had a strong solo career.
The Animals: A British Invasion Band
Eric became the lead singer of the Animals in 1962. The band started in Newcastle upon Tyne. They combined electric blues with rock music. In the United States, The Animals were a leading band of the British Invasion.
They helped introduce British music and fashion to American audiences. Other famous British Invasion bands included the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Eric's strong voice was heard on many of The Animals' hit songs. These included "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."
The original band members changed over time. In 1966, Eric and drummer Barry Jenkins reformed the group as Eric Burdon and the Animals. This new version of the band explored psychedelic rock. Their hits included "San Franciscan Nights" and "Sky Pilot," which was an anti-war song.
The original Animals reunited in 1975 and again in 1983. They released new albums and went on world tours. The original group broke up for the last time in 1984. Eric continued to tour as Eric Burdon and the Animals with different musicians over the years.
There was a legal disagreement over who owned the name "The Animals" in the UK. In 2008, a judge said drummer John Steel owned the rights. However, in 2013, Eric Burdon won an appeal. This meant he could also use the band name in the UK.
War: A Funk Rock Collaboration
In 1969, Eric Burdon teamed up with a California funk rock band called War. They released an album called Eric Burdon Declares "War" in 1970. This album featured popular songs like "Spill the Wine" and "Tobacco Road."
They released another album, The Black-Man's Burdon, later that year. Eric had to leave the tour early due to an asthma attack. Eric Burdon and War reunited for a concert in London in 2008.
Solo Music and Collaborations
After leaving War, Eric Burdon started his solo career in 1971. He continued to play hard rock and funk music. He released albums like Guilty! and Survivor.
In 1986, Eric published his autobiography, a book about his life, called I Used to Be an Animal, but I'm Alright Now. He also recorded a cover of "Sixteen Tons" for the movie Joe Versus the Volcano in 1990.
Eric continued to release new music. In 2004, he released My Secret Life, his first album with new songs in 16 years. He also released a blues and R&B album called Soul of a Man in 2006.
In 2013, Eric released a new album called 'Til Your River Runs Dry. The song "Water" from this album was inspired by a conversation he had with Mikhail Gorbachev, a former leader of the Soviet Union. Eric has also performed with other famous musicians like Bruce Springsteen and Pat Benatar.
Film Appearances
Eric Burdon has also appeared in several films. He wanted to act in the film Blowup in 1966. He later turned down big roles in other movies.
In 1973, he worked on a film project called Mirage. He also acted in the German film Gibbi Westgermany (1980) and starred in another German film, Comeback (1982), where he played a singer. In 1991, he had a small role in the movie The Doors. He has also appeared in many documentaries about music.
Images for kids
-
Eric Burdon at the Daffodil Festival in Meriden, Connecticut, 2008
-
Eric Burdon in 2013
See also
In Spanish: Eric Burdon para niños
