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In 1986, Eric completed the manuscript for this autobiography, I Used to Be an Animals but I'm All Right Now. It was published in 1986 followed soonafter by another book written by Jeff Kent titled, The Last Poet: the Story of Eric Burdon. In addition to his autobiography, Eric released the LP, I Used to Be an Animal and embarked on a european tour.

The nineties has proven to be a hallmark decade in Eric's career beginning in 1991 when Dionisio Castillo published a complete history of Eric's recording career in time for his 50th birthday. Followed soonafter with the release of a video, Finally...Eric Burdon and the Animals. The previous year Eric appeared in Oliver Stones film, The Doors and then began a collaboration with ex-Doors guitarist Robby Krieger . The Eric Burdon-Robby Krieger Band toured the US and Canada and met up with Brian Auger. They soon formed a The Eric Burdon-Brian Auger band and in 1993 released Access All Areas, embarking on a world tour.

1995 proved to be a good year for Eric when the Animals were inducted into the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame. Eric then participated in the HBO Concert for the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame where he and Jon Bon Jovi sang Its My Life and We Gotta Get Outta This Place. Also that year he participated in the Bumpershoot Jimi Hendrix Tribute Concert. By the end of the year, a 30 minute special on Eric Burdon and the Animals was aired on the My Generation television series in the UK.

LARGER SIZE NOT AVAILABLE - The Flying Eye, drawing by Eric Burdon

In 1996 Eric participated in the recording of Mark Craney Benefit CD, Something With a Pulse! with the Leonard Cohen song, I'm Your Man. About this time Eric produced yet another band comprised of Mark Craney (later replaced by Aynsley Dunbar), Larry Wilkins, Dean Restum and Dave Meros. They called themselves Eric Burdon's Flying I Band. They produced two live recordings called The Official Live Bootleg and The Official Live Bootleg #2, hoping to counteract the rampant bootleg industry which threatens so many musicians.

Sadly, in May 1997, Larry Wilkins passed away. Neal Morse stepped in on both guitars and keyboards and they resumed touring. The 1999 new year brought forth a new name, and the I Band changed their name to Eric Burdon and the New Animals. Later that year, Morse left the I Band after assisting Eric with the British Rock Symphony. In May 1999, Morse was replaced by Martin Gerschwitz on keyboards and violin. I was lucky enough to have caught his first performance with the band in Toledo.

Also in 1999, Eric and the New Animals released a video, Live at the Coach House. In addition to the new name, new keyboards man and new video, Eric was chosen to be highlighted in a VH1 Behind the Scenes special which aired in June of 1999.

In the year 2000 Eric completed filming and attended the festival-premieres of My Brother and I (O Adelfos Mou Ki Ego) and Snow Fall on New Year's Eve (Schnee in der Neujahrsnact). Last May he spearhead the benefit concert to save the Joshua Tree National Forest for which he takes a personal interest.

"I still believe in the human voice, it delivers the message, "oh mother tell your children, not to do what I have done..."
Eric Burdon, 1986

Instead ending with the above line as he did with his previous autobiography, I would like to see him write in his forthcoming book, "...oh mother tell your children, 'watch what I can do'..." Eric, you've come a long way, baby.

This information for the last page was mainly culled from information provided by Michael Tolan. Thanks Mike.