- Hilton Valentine
Infobox Musical artist
Name = Hilton Valentine
Img_capt =
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth_name = Hilton Stewart Paterson Valentine
Alias =
Born = birthdate and age|1943|05|21|df=y
Died =
Instrument =Guitar
Genre = Rock,Blues-rock ,Folk rock
Occupation =Musician ,Songwriter
Years_active = 1963 - present
Label =
Associated_acts =The Animals
URL = [http://www.hiltonvalentine.com Official website]
Notable_instruments =Hilton Valentine (born Hilton Stewart Paterson Valentine,
21 May 1943 ,North Shields ,Northumberland [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:dpfwxqe5ldte~T1 All Music Guide biography] ] ) is a Englishmusician , who was an originalguitarist in theThe Animals .Valentine was bought into
music by the 1950'sskiffle craze. His mother bought him his first guitar in 1956 when he was 13, [http://www.hiltonvalentine.com/bio.html Hilton Valentine Biography ] ] he taught himself some chords from a book called "Teach Yourself A Thousand Chords", and formed his own skiffle group called The Heppers. They played local gigs and a newspaper described them at the time as,"A young but promising skiffle group". The Heppers eventually evolved into a rock and roll band, The Wildcats. During this period Valentine played a Futurama III solid guitar [http://www.hiltonvalentine.com/equipment.html Hilton Valentine Equipment ] ] , this was the UK brandname of importer Selmer, his next guitar was aBurns Vibra-Artiste which he bought in 1960/61. The Wildcats were a very popular band in the Tyne & Wear area getting a lot of bookings for Dance Halls, Working Men's Clubs, Church Halls etc., and it was during this period that they decided to record a 10" acetate LP titled "Sounds of The Wild Cats" [sic] In 1963 The Animals were starting to form and Chas Chandler heard about Hilton Valentine's wild guitar playing and asked him to join what was then the Alan Price Combo.Eric Burdon was already a member and John Steel joined immediately following Valentine's arrival. Within a few months, this group changed their name to The Animals.While The Animals are often remembered most for Burdon's vocals and Price's organ, Valentine is credited with the instantly recognizable
electric guitar arpeggio introduction to the Animals' 1964signature song "The House of the Rising Sun ", which inspired countless beginning guitarists.T.J. McGrath, [http://www.dirtylinen.com/linen/124/124valentine.html "Hilton Valentine: The Sun Also Rises"] , "Dirty Linen ", June/July 2006. Accessed May 4, 2007.] Barry York, [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/07/08/1089000293613.html "House of Worship"] , "The Age ", July 9, 2004. Accessed May 4, 2007.] It was played [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBGXwX-TdTY YouTube - Animals - House of the Rising Sun ] ] on hisGretsch Tennessean guitar which he bought in Newcastle in early 1962 while he was still with the Wildcats. Later, in 1964,Rickenbacker gave him a 1964 Rose Morris guitar to use along with a 12 string model.Valentine went on to play and record with the Animals, until the first incarnation of the band dissolved in September 1966.
Valentine subsequently moved to
California , recorded an unsuccessful soloalbum entitled "All In Your Head", returned to the UK, and over the years joined several Animals reunions.Along with Eric Burdon, Chas Chandler, Alan Price and John Steel, Valentine was inducted into the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.He released a new album "It's Folk 'n' Skiffle, Mate!" in 2004.
Valentine now resides in
Connecticut .Since 2007 he's touring with
Eric Burdon . Their last show for this year is probably on November 28 at the River Rock Theatre in Richmond.ee also
*
List of guitarists References
* [http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/002384.html 2007 Hilton Valentine interview @ Modernguitars.com]
External links
* [http://www.hiltonvalentine.com Official website]
* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:dpfwxqe5ldte~T1 All Music Guide]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
