Almost Grown/The Original Animals/1963

The Animals grew out of the popular jazz scene in Newcastle in the late 1950's. The city's first real R&B group was The Kansas City Five and included Eric Burdon (vocals), Alan Price (keyboards) and John Steel (drums). Regular perfomances eventually landed them a residency at Mike Jeffrey's "Downbeat" Club in Newcastle. However, Alan Price soon left to join The Kontours, featuring Chas Chandler (bass). John Steel joined and the trio obtained the "Downbeat" club residency, playing three hour R&B sets under the musical direction of Alan Price. They changed their name to The Alan Price Combo and werw soon rejoined by Eric Burdon, who had been guesting with Blues Inc. at London venues.
R&B began to grip Tyneside and another of Mike Jeffrey's clubs, "The Club A- Go- Go", became the band's base. In 1963 they finally acquired a guitarst, Hilton Valentine, (who joined from another local band, The Wild Cats) and their name to The Animals.
Giorgio Gomelsky arrived in Newcastle in December 1963, accompanied by American Bluesman, Sonny Boy Williamson. He had been arranging gigs for Sonny, who would be bcked by local musicians. The Animals were to back him at "The Club A- Go-Go" .
He had not heard The Animals perfom, but at the rehearsals was so excited that he wanted to immediately record them. Locationg a portable but bulky Ampex, Gomelsky recorded seven tracks from two performances that captured the excitement of the band

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