One of the most important bands originating from England's R&B scene during the early 1960s, the Animals were second only to the Rolling Stones in influence among R&B-based bands at the time. Known for their gritty, bluesy sound and deep-voiced frontman Eric Burdon, as exemplified by their signature song House of the Rising Sun, the band balanced tough, rock-edged pop singles against rhythm and blues-oriented album material.

The Animals had their origins in various bands in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne area in the early 1960s, including the Pagans and the Kansas City Seven/Five, but were really formed around 1963 when Burdon joined the existing Alan Price Rhythm and Blues Combo. The original line-up comprised Burdon (vocals), Alan Price (keyboards), Hilton Valentine (guitar), John Steel (drums) and Bryan 'Chas' Chandler (bass).

Their moderate success in their hometown and a connection with Yardbirds manager Giorgio Gomelsky motivated them to move to London in 1964 where they performed fiery versions of the staple rhythm and blues repertoire (Jimmy Reed, John Lee Hooker, Nina Simone, etc) under the Animals name.

Signed to the Columbia Graphophone subsidiary of EMI, a rocking version of the standard Baby Let Me Follow You Down (retitled Baby Let Me Take You Home) was their first single. It was followed in June 1964 by the huge transatlantic hit House of the Rising Sun, which created arguably the first folk rock hit.

The Animals' 2-year chart career, masterminded by producer Mickie Most, featured singles that were intense, gritty pop covers such as Sam Cooke's Bring It On Home To Me and the Nina Simone number Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood. In contrast, their album tracks stayed with rhythm and blues, with Hooker's Boom Boom and Ray Charles' I Believe to My Soul being notable examples. Burdon's powerful, deep voice and the use of keyboards as much or more than guitars were two elements that made the Animals' sound stand out.

By May 1965 the group was starting to feel internal pressures. Price left due to personal and musical differences as well as a fear of flying on tour and went on to a successful solo career. Mickey Gallagher filled in on keyboards for a spell, until Dave Rowberry replaced him and was on hand for the hit working-class anthems We Gotta Get Out of this Place and It's My Life. Around that time, an Animals Big Band even made a one-time appearance.

As 1965 ended, the group switched to Decca Records and producer Tom Wilson, who gave them more artistic freedom. In early 1966, MGM Records, their American label, collected their hits onto The Best of The Animals, which became their best-selling album in the US.

In February 1966. Steel left and was replaced by Barry Jenkins. By this time their business affairs were in a total shambles and the group disbanded. Even by the standards of the day, when artists tended to be financially naïve, the Animals made very little money from their successes, eventually claiming mismanagement and theft on the part of their manager Mike Jeffery.

Burdon went on to form a new band under the name Eric Burdon and the Animals in October 1966, with a different musical direction. By 1969, these Animals had also dissolved and Burdon joined forces with a Latin group called War.