Hilton valentine dead: the animals star dies aged 77

Hilton Valentine's wife Germaine Valentine confirmed the news of his death via The Animals' record label Abkco today. The star was an internationally known musician and guitarist

during the 1960s. Hilton was born in North Shields, Northumberland, England. He was a founding member of The Animals, one of the bands that led the British invasion of rock music in the

swinging sixties. He created one of the most recognisable guitar riffs in rock music history with his intro on The House of the Rising Sun, which hit number one in 1964 in the UK, US and

Canada, and is recognised among Rolling Stone’s Greatest Songs of All Time. Valentine’s other hits with The Animals include Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, It’s My Life and We Gotta Get Out

of This Place, which struck a chord with American soldiers during the Vietnam War. Upon their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum described The

Animals essential standing as a “key link in the evolving transition from black R&B to punk rock". READ MORE: EMMERDALE'S CHARLEY WEBB HELPS UNEMPLOYED SOCIAL MEDIA USER LAND

JOB Recently speaking to Guitar International, his bandmate Eric Burdon credited Valentine with creating their unique sound, he said: "It really was Hilton who made the early Animals a

rock band because I don’t think the element of rock was in the band until we found him.  "In those days, Hilton wasn’t just playing rock ‘n’ roll, he looked rock ‘n’ roll. "Here

was a guy with the greased mop of hair combed back, cheap leather jacket, winklepicker shoes, black jeans and a smile on his face playing through an echoplex, which was a secret weapon back

then." Valentine began playing the guitar aged 13, after becoming inspired by the skiffle craze. Valentine went on to release a solo album, All In Your Head, in 1969, and recently

returned to skiffle music, forming the band Skiffledog and released three albums, including a holiday album in 2011. However, he reunited with The Animals on numerous occasions over the

years and recorded Before We Were So Rudely Interrupted with them in 1977. In his later life, Valentine resided in Connecticut with his wife Germaine. The star had remained active on Twitter

up until January 25, as he promoted his music and various merchandise on his online store.