Hilton Stewart Paterson Valentine (21 May 1943 – 29 January 2021) was an English musician best known as the original guitarist for the influential 1960s rock band The Animals. He played a crucial role in shaping their early sound and was responsible for one of the most iconic guitar riffs in rock history.
He co-founded The Animals (initially the Alan Price Combo) in the early 1960s with Eric Burdon (vocals), Alan Price (keyboards), Chas Chandler (bass), and John Steel (drums).
His most famous contribution is the instantly recognizable arpeggiated guitar riff on The Animals’ 1964 transatlantic number one hit, “The House of the Rising Sun.” This riff is considered a landmark in guitar playing and inspired countless aspiring guitarists.
Valentine’s raw and energetic playing was a key element of other Animals’ hits, including “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” “We Gotta Get Out of This Place,” and “It’s My Life.” His blues-influenced style, often played on his Gretsch Tennessean guitar, was integral to the band’s “British Invasion” success.
Valentine left The Animals in 1966. He later released a solo album titled “All in Your Head” in 1969. Over the following decades, he participated in various Animals reunions and pursued other musical projects. He also lived in California and Connecticut for periods.
Hilton Valentine was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Animals in 1994. He passed away on January 29, 2021, at the age of 77. His contribution to rock and roll, particularly through his distinctive guitar work with The Animals, remains highly regarded.
Hilton Stewart Paterson Valentine (21 May 1943 – 29 January 2021) was an English musician best known as the original guitarist for the influential 1960s rock band The Animals.
He was a key figure in the British Invasion and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and Hollywood’s Rock Walk of Fame in 2001 along with the other members of The Animals.
Born in North Shields, Northumberland, Valentine was drawn to music from a young age, influenced by the skiffle craze popular in Britain in the 1950s.
He taught himself guitar and was known for his energetic and somewhat “wild” playing style even before joining The Animals. In 1963, Chas Chandler, who would become The Animals’ bassist, recruited Valentine for the group that then included singer Eric Burdon and organist Alan Price, with drummer John Steel joining shortly after.
Valentine’s most famous contribution is the iconic electric guitar arpeggio introduction to The Animals’ 1964 international hit “The House of the Rising Sun.” This distinctive riff is considered one of the most recognizable in rock music history and inspired countless aspiring guitarists.
Eric Burdon himself credited Valentine with truly making the early Animals a rock band, not just with his playing but also his rock and roll image. His guitar work was also integral to other Animals’ hits like “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” “We Gotta Get Out of This Place,” and “It’s My Life.” His style often featured a raw, bluesy, and sometimes aggressive edge, including the use of fuzz tone on tracks like “Don’t Bring Me Down” and notable string bending.
As mentioned above After leaving The Animals in 1966, Valentine pursued some solo work, releasing an album titled “All in Your Head” in 1969. He participated in several reunions with The Animals in later years, including in 1975 (resulting in the 1977 album “Before We Were So Rudely Interrupted”) and 1983 (for the album “Ark” and a subsequent tour). In his later years, while residing in Connecticut, USA, he returned to his skiffle roots with his band Skiffledog, releasing albums such as “It’s Folk ‘n’ Skiffle, Mate!” and “Skiffledog on Coburg ST.” He also occasionally performed with other groups.
Hilton Valentine passed away on January 29, 2021, at the age of 77, leaving behind a significant legacy as a pioneering guitarist whose sound influenced the course of rock and roll.
