Hilton Valentine, founding guitarist of The Animals, dies age 77
- The band was best known for its 1964 hit House of the Rising Sun, which rose to the top of the charts in both Britain and the US
- Valentine formed The Animals with singer Eric Burdon, bass player Chas Chandler, organist Alan Price and drummer John Steel in 1963
Hilton Valentine, a founding member and original guitarist for the British 60s pop group The Animals, has died at the age of 77, the band’s record label said.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to @HiltonValentine’s family and friends on his passing … at the age of 77,” the label ABKCO Music, posted on Twitter.
“Valentine was a pioneering guitar player influencing the sound of rock and roll for decades to come,” it added in a statement on Friday.
ABKCO Music said it was told of the guitarist’s death by his wife, Germaine Valentine.
The band was best known for its 1964 hit House of the Rising Sun, which rose to the top of the charts in both Britain and the United States.
Born in North Shields, northeast England, Valentine formed The Animals with singer Eric Burdon, bass player Chas Chandler, organist Alan Price and drummer John Steel in 1963.