There have been select few bands that have truly shaped the course of history. For heavy metal, it would have to be bands like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, but when it comes to rock and roll, only Elvis Presley springs directly to mind. But there was another band of the same era that many believe were a more accurate representation of the term - or what would become the term - rock music. A band who combined elements of blues, R&B, and rock into a sound that has inspired generations. A band who are mostly still very much alive today, and who are currently en route to Australia for a run of shows dubbed The Final Curtain Australian Tour, which starts on October 23.
If you guessed The Animals, then you guessed right.
A major part of the musical British Invasion of the 1960s, The Animals produced a string of hits that still resonate today, including We Gotta Get Out Of This Place, Boom Boom, Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood, It’s My Life and the band's iconic multi-million selling, and Number One worldwide hit, House of The Rising Sun. Universally known and loved and influential to generations of music lovers, The Animals have an affinity for Australia, with original drummer John Steel once saying, “Australia has always felt like a second home for us."
HEAVY recently sat down with Steel to talk about the tour and the enduring legacy of The Animals.
"We're looking forward to it," he enthused of the tour. "People keep telling me it's the final tour, but I think it's still such a good band. I enjoy playing with them, and I'm playing as well as I ever did in my life so let's wait and see. But for now, this is the final tour. At my age now, I can only think one year ahead at a time anyway, so maybe this will be the last one. We'll see what happens (laughs)."
Talk turns to the multitude of hits The Animals have had over the years and their place in musical history.
"There's not one song in our repertoire that I've ever thought that is not good enough," he replied. "I've always felt we've got a great bunch of songs, and it's not always the same ones every night. Obviously, we play the big hit singles every night, but we've got a good selection of A-sides, B-sides, and album tracks. So it's a pick and mix, but it keeps it fresh."
In the full interview, John talks more about the tour and what to expect, having to alter their live show in keeping with ageing, the extensive run of shows and playing in out of the way places, his memories of The Animals first tour of Australia and his love of our red wine. We also talked about The Angels cover of We Gotta Get Out Of This Place, the early days of The Animals, what he hopes to leave as their music legacy and more.
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