Hilton Valentine, the founding guitarist of the English rock and roll band the Animals who is credited with coming up with one of the most famous opening riffs of the 1960s, has died. He was 77.
The band’s label ABKCO Music confirmed that Valentine died Friday, saying it was informed of his death by his wife, Germaine Valentine. The cause of death was not given.
“Valentine was a pioneering guitar player influencing the sound of rock and roll for decades to come,” the label said in a statement.
Valentine took up the guitar at 13 in his hometown of North Shields in northeast England, subsequently getting involved in the skiffle craze a kind of fusion of American folk, country, jazz and blues that was sweeping the U.K. His skiffle band the Heppers evolved into the Wildcats, a rock and roll band that became popular across the north of England, partly because of Valentine’s habit of rolling on the ground while playing his guitar.
Hilton Valentine, Founding Guitarist for the Animals, Dies at 77
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Hilton Valentine, the original guitarist for the Animals who played the opening riff on their hit song “House of the Rising Sun,” died on Jan. 29. He was 77.
The Animals’ label, ABKCO Music, announced Valentine’s death on their Twitter account. “Our deepest sympathies go out to @HiltonValentine’s family and friends on his passing this morning, at the age of 77,” the statement reads. “A founding member and original guitarist of The Animals, Valentine was a pioneering guitar player influencing the sound of rock and roll for decades to come.”
LONDON - Hilton Valentine, the founding guitarist of the English rock and roll band The Animals who is credited with coming up with one of the most famous o