Alan Price: The Pioneering Keyboardist of British Rhythm and Blues

Alan Price is an English musician and composer best known as the original keyboardist for the seminal British Invasion band The Animals. Hailing from the industrial city of Newcastle upon Tyne, his career spans over six decades, marked by innovative musicianship and successful solo work. His most significant achievement was co-writing and performing on the international number-one hit "The House of the Rising Sun," a landmark recording that redefined the potential of the rock organ.

Early career

Born in 1942, Alan Price began his musical journey in the vibrant club scene of Newcastle in the late 1950s. He first gained local attention as a member of The Alan Price Rhythm and Blues Combo, which would soon evolve into the legendary lineup of The Animals. His distinctive Vox Continental organ sound became a foundational element of the group's gritty, electrified take on American blues and folk music.

Breakthrough

Price's breakthrough arrived in 1964 with The Animals' explosive rendition of "The House of the Rising Sun." Released on the Columbia (EMI) label, the song topped charts globally, including the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100. Its haunting organ introduction, arranged by Price, was instrumental to the track's dramatic power, helping propel the single to gold certification status and cementing the band's place in rock history.

Key tracks

The House of the Rising Sun — Price's iconic organ arrangement transformed this folk ballad into a worldwide number-one hit for The Animals in 1964.

I Put a Spell on You — This 1965 single showcased Price's ability to drive a song with his pulsating, jazz-influenced keyboard work.

Simon Smith and His Amazing Dancing Bear — A 1967 UK Top 5 hit for Price as a solo artist, demonstrating his shift towards sophisticated pop.

O Lucky Man! — The title track from his 1973 soundtrack album earned Price the prestigious Ivor Novello Award for Best Film Score.

Jarrow Song — Price's 1974 solo Top 10 hit reflected his enduring connection to his Northern English roots.

Price left The Animals in 1965, citing fear of flying, and swiftly launched a successful solo career. He formed The Alan Price Set, scoring hits like "Simon Smith and His Amazing Dancing Bear," and later collaborated extensively with fellow Geordie musician Georgie Fame. His acclaimed soundtrack for the film "O Lucky Man!" (1973) highlighted his skills as a composer, winning an Ivor Novello Award. Throughout the 1970s and beyond, he participated in Animals reunions while continuing to record and perform his own material.

Fans of Alan Price's blend of rhythm and blues, jazz, and British pop often appreciate the work of Georgie Fame. Fame shares Price's jazz and R&B piano style and they have collaborated frequently. The Animals is the essential group where Price first made his mark with his revolutionary organ sound. Zoot Money is another key figure from the same era known for a similar fusion of blues and jazz in the UK club circuit.

Alan Price's music maintains a steady presence on radio stations featured on this website. His classic tracks with The Animals are staples on classic rock FM stations and dedicated British Invasion channels. Furthermore, his sophisticated solo work finds airplay on specialist programs focusing on jazz-influenced pop and soundtrack music across various independent music radio stations.

Listeners can explore the extensive catalog of Alan Price, from the raw rhythm and blues of The Animals to his nuanced solo projects, on radio stations available on onairium.com. Tune in to hear the pioneering keyboard work of this influential English artist across a variety of curated rock and retrospective formats.