Hilton Valentine, Founding Guitarist for the Animals, Dies at 77
Ellise Shafer, provided by
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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.”
Hilton Valentine, guitarist for The Animals and CT resident, dies at 77
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Hilton Valentine of the Animals attends the 2010 Rock Con: The National Rock & Roll Fan Fest at the Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel & Conference Center on July 31, 2010 in East Rutherford, N.J.George Napolitano / Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less
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Hilton Valentine, who was the lead guitarist for the band the Animals, with the backside of “The Best Of The Animals” album cover in 2015.Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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Hilton Valentine, who rose to stardom as guitarist for The Animals and composed the iconic riff to the British rock group’s version of “The House of the Rising Sun,” died Friday. He was 77.