Hilton Valentine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hilton Valentine
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Valentine in 1964
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Hilton Stewart Paterson Valentine |
| Born | 21 May 1943 North Shields, Northumberland, England |
| Died | 29 January 2021 (aged 77) |
| Genres | Rock, blues rock, folk rock |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist |
| Years active | 1963–2021 |
| Associated acts | The Animals |
Hilton Stewart Paterson Valentine (born May 21, 1943 – died January 29, 2021) was a talented English guitarist. He was best known as the original guitarist for the famous rock band The Animals. His amazing guitar playing helped make their songs popular. He was even honored by being included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. He also joined the other members of The Animals on Hollywood’s Rock Walk of Fame in 2001.
After The Animals broke up in 1966, Hilton Valentine released his own music. He made albums like All in Your Head (1969) and It’s Folk ‘N’ Skiffle, Mate! (2004). He also performed in many places and joined The Animals for several reunion concerts.
Contents
About Hilton Valentine
His Early Music Journey
Hilton Valentine was born in North Shields, England. When he was 13, in 1956, his mother bought him his first guitar. He taught himself to play by reading a book called "Teach Yourself a Thousand Chords". Hilton continued to improve his musical skills at Tynemouth High School.
He formed his first music group, a skiffle band called the Heppers. They played at local events. A newspaper even called them "A young but promising skiffle group." The Heppers later became a rock and roll band called the Wildcats around 1959. The Wildcats were very popular in their area, playing at many dance halls and clubs. They even recorded their own album called Sounds of the Wild Cats.
Joining The Animals
In 1963, a new band called the Animals was forming. Chas Chandler, one of the band members, heard about Hilton Valentine's exciting guitar playing. He asked Hilton to join what was then called the Alan Price Combo. Eric Burdon was already in the group, and John Steel joined right after Hilton. Within a few months, this group changed its name to The Animals.
Many people remember The Animals for Eric Burdon's singing and Alan Price's organ playing. However, Hilton Valentine created the famous electric guitar introduction for their 1964 hit song "The House of the Rising Sun". This guitar part inspired many new guitar players. He played it on his Gretsch Tennessean guitar. Hilton continued to play and record music with The Animals until the band first broke up in September 1966. In 1977, Hilton rejoined the group for a reunion album called Before We Were So Rudely Interrupted.
Later Career and Achievements
After leaving The Animals, Hilton Valentine moved to California. In 1969, he recorded a solo album called All In Your Head, but it wasn't very successful. He then returned to the UK and joined several Animals reunion tours over the years.
In 1994, Hilton Valentine was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This was a great honor he shared with Eric Burdon, Chas Chandler, Alan Price, and John Steel. In May 2001, he and the other Animals were also honored on Hollywood's Rock Walk of Fame. He released a new album, It's Folk 'n' Skiffle, Mate!, in 2004.
From 2004 to 2009, he performed across New England, New York, and South Carolina with his solo project, Skiffledog. He also toured with Eric Burdon from 2007 to 2008. In 2011, Hilton released another album called Skiffledog on Coburg Street. He also made a Christmas album with Big Boy Pete Miller called Merry Skifflemas!.
Hilton Valentine's last recording was a video in 2019 called "River Tyne." It celebrated the river near his childhood home.
Personal Life
In his later years, Hilton Valentine lived in Connecticut with his wife, Germaine. He passed away on January 29, 2021, at the age of 77. He is survived by his wife and daughter, Samantha.
His Musical Legacy
The Animals' version of "The House of the Rising Sun" is often seen as the most famous version of the song. Even Bob Dylan said it was one reason he started playing electric guitar.
Speaking about Hilton Valentine's opening guitar part for the song, music expert Ian MacDonald said it's "one of the most instantly recognizable introductions" to a 1960s song. He noted that it was a "technically perfect" guitar part that many new guitarists have tried to copy over the years.
See also
In Spanish: Hilton Valentine para niños
