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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia "The House of the Rising Sun" is a traditional folk song, sometimes called "Rising Sun Blues". It tells of a person's life gone wrong in the city of New Orleans. Many versions also urge a sibling or parents and children to avoid the same fate. The most successful commercial version, recorded in 1964 by the British rock band The Animals, was a number one hit on the UK Singles Chart and in the US and Canada. As a traditional folk song recorded by an electric rock band, it has been described as the "first folk rock hit". The song was first collected in Appalachia in the 1930s, but probably has its roots in traditional English folk song. It is listed as number 6393 in the Roud Folk Song Index. An interview with Eric Burdon revealed that he first heard the song in a club in Newcastle, England, where it was sung by the Northumbrian folk singer Johnny Handle. The Animals were on tour with Chuck Berry and chose it because they wanted something distinctive to sing. The Animals had begun featuring their arrangement of "The House of the Rising Sun" during a joint concert tour with Chuck Berry, using it as their closing number to differentiate themselves from acts that always closed with straight rockers. It got a tremendous reaction from the audience, convincing initially reluctant producer Mickie Most that it had hit potential, and between tour stops the group went to a small recording studio, De Lane Lea Studios on Kingsway in London to capture it.
The High Level Ranters are a Northumbrian traditional musical group founded in 1964, best known for being one of the first bands in the revival of the Northumbrian smallpipes.
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In 1964, The Animals were on a joint concert tour with Chuck Berry, crisscrossing the UK and Europe, playing to packed houses and honking crowds. They were a British rock band at the height of their powers, with hits like "Baby Let Me Take You Home" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" under their belt. But it was during this tour that they stumbled upon something truly remarkable - a traditional folk song called "The House of the Rising Sun".
Recorded in De Lane Lea Studios on Kingsway in London, this clip is more than just a performance of a classic song. It's a snapshot of a pivotal moment in music history, when rock and roll was colliding with traditional folk to create something entirely new. The Animals' version of "The House of the Rising Sun" would go on to become one of the biggest hits of 1964, topping the UK Singles Chart and reaching number one in the US and Canada.
But what makes this clip truly remarkable is its connection to Johnny Handle, a Northumbrian folk singer who first introduced The Animals to the song. According to Eric Burdon, it was Handle's rendition that inspired them to record their own version. This clip is a testament to the power of traditional music to inspire and influence new generations of musicians.
The Animals' arrangement of "The House of the Rising Sun" was a game-changer, blending folk's storytelling tradition with rock's energy and swagger. It was a sound that would come to define the folk rock movement of the 1960s, influencing bands like The Byrds and Simon & Garfunkel.
What makes this clip rare is its connection to the early days of the folk rock movement. This was an era when traditional music was being rediscovered and reinterpreted by young musicians who were looking for new sounds and styles. The Animals' version of "The House of the Rising Sun" was a key part of this movement, and this clip provides a unique glimpse into its creation.
Watching this clip, you'll be struck by the raw energy and emotion that The Animals bring to "The House of the Rising Sun". You'll hear Eric Burdon's soaring vocals, Alan Price's jaunty piano, and Hilton Valentine's wailing guitar. It's a performance that's both nostalgic and timeless, capturing the spirit of a moment in music history when anything seemed possible.
As you watch this clip, remember that The Animals' version of "The House of the Rising Sun" was not just a hit single - it was a cultural phenomenon. It marked a turning point in the development of rock music, paving the way for future generations of musicians to experiment with traditional sounds and styles. This clip is more than just a performance of a classic song - it's a window into the creative process that shaped an entire era of music history.
The Animals' version of "The House of the Rising Sun" may have been recorded in 1964, but its influence can still be felt today. It's a testament to the power of traditional music to inspire and influence new generations of musicians, and a reminder that even the most unlikely collaborations can lead to something truly remarkable.
Curated from public records and music databases.
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