Biography
Who is Eric Burdon?
Early life and real name
Eric Victor Burdon was born on May 11, 1941, in Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne, England. His father was named Matt and his mother was named René, and he grew up with a younger sister named Irene in a working class family. Due to local pollution and humidity, he suffered daily asthma attacks during his primary school years.
He later attended Newcastle College of Art and Industrial Design to study graphics and photography. During this time, he frequented a local jazz club called The Downbeat and met various peers who shared his deep interest in American music, jazz, folk, and movies.
Career with the Animals
Eric Burdon became the lead vocalist of the Animals, a band formed in Newcastle upon Tyne during 1962. The group combined electric blues with rock music and became one of the leading bands of the British Invasion in the United States, introducing contemporary British style to American audiences alongside other prominent acts.
His powerful vocals were featured on numerous hit singles by the group, including The House of the Rising Sun, Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood, We Gotta Get Out of This Place, and Inside-Looking Out. Following various lineup changes and band splits, he continued performing and recording music under different iterations of Eric Burdon and the Animals over several decades.
Collaboration with War
In 1969, while living in San Francisco, Eric Burdon joined forces with the California funk rock band War. The resulting studio album, Eric Burdon Declares War, was released in April 1970 and produced successful singles such as Spill the Wine and Tobacco Road.
They subsequently released a two-disc set titled The Black-Man's Burdon in September 1970. During a concert in this era, he collapsed on stage due to an asthma attack, and the band continued their tour without him.
Personal life and relationships
Eric Burdon developed close personal relationships with several well-known cultural figures during his career. In the mid-sixties, he became close friends with American guitarist Jimi Hendrix, remaining close until Hendrix passed away in 1970.
He was also a good friend of John Lennon, who later incorporated a story about an early morning breakfast incident into the Beatles song I Am the Walrus. In his personal life, his spouse is Marianna Proestou and he has a partner named Twinkle.
Birthday and age
Eric Burdon was born on May 11, 1941, which makes Eric 85 years old today. That birthday falls under the Taurus sign. Eric shares the date with 34 other famous people.
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