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Andy Blackford, 1986
In
1975, Mickie Most released a maxi-single of House of the Rising Sun, I'm
Crying, and Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood. The re-release caused renewed
interest in the Animals and instigated the recording of their new LP at
Chas Chandlers country estate in England the summer of 1976.
Due to Eric's legal problems in America, it wasn't released until almost
two years later and by that time, the momentum had been lost.
The reformation of the Animals for a brief period in 1977 would prove to be the work of a genius, to anyone who has heard their LP, Before We Were So Rudely Interrupted. Unfortunately, tension ran high partly due to the antics of Alan Price over House of the Rising Sun and Eric's penchant for wanting his own way. Tempers flew about and the project took its toll on all who were involved.
"He
had finally landed a part in a movie-ironically, the story of a rock star
who turns his back on the business."
Andy Blackford, 1986
In
1978, Eric divorced from Rose and things spiralled downward from there.
He ended up in Germany which, at the time was experiencing a renewed interest
in the American Blues scene. Eric fell heavily into drugs and booze. Although
he continued to release LP's with such bands as Eric Burdon's Fire Department
and a new Eric Burdon Band, his career didn't lift off the ground in the
American or British market. His success continued in Europe where he continues
to hold his own today.
Finally in 1982, Eric landed himself that long-awaited movie deal that, in many ways, closely mirrored his life. Rock Star enjoys success, falls into sex, drugs and thugs, falls out of the spotlight, plans his comeback...you get the picture. The movie was called Comeback and, despite its fantastic soundtrack fell into obscurity.
"It
was as if Eric had set out ot make it as unpleasant as possible. It was
sheer bloody-mindedness. As if he wanted to settle as many old scores
as possible."
Chas Chandler (courtesy of Andy Blackford, 1986)
By
1983, Eric had been busted in Germany for drugs but the Animals were anxious
to scratch that musical itch yet again. So they dragged Eric from Germany,
recorded an LP, Ark and embarked on a tour that proved to be an unbridled
success in America and Canada. They opened to great reviews. Nothing stood
in their way, except of course, their vocalist.
Eric began to take his personal and professional frustrations out on the band.
He
just bitched for nine bloody months, blaming anybody but himself for anything
that went wrong..."
Chas
Chandler (courtesy of Andy Blackford, 1986)
Once back in the UK, the band was near to breaking up, for the last time. Their gig in Newcastle opened up to a house only three-quarters full and were greeted only with silence.
"And
so, with a whimper rather than a bang, the Animals decided to split up
for good."
Andy Blackford, 1986
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© 2001, aimee harrison for this book
of burdon