John Williamson, John Steel, Mickey Gallagher and Peter Barton.

Who doesn’t remember one of the most important bands originating from England's R&B scene during the early '60s....
The Animals.
Songs like "Baby Let Me Take You Home" (adapted from "Baby Let Me Follow You Down"), which rose to number 21 on the British charts. The fabulous "House of the Rising Sun," "I'm Crying," number eight on the British charts. The group compiled an enviable record of Top Ten successes, including "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" and "We've Gotta Get Out of This Place,"

After several line-up changes The Animals split finally in 1998. In the spring of 2000 Peter Barton and John Williamson, both playing in a band had a suggestion to team together. Pete had been involved with the Animals on the management front already for a long long time. Then Jim Rodford and two orig Animals, Dave Rowberry and John Steel, joined and the Animals & friends were born. The band toured extensively and in the winter of 2001 went into Lisa Stansfield's studio to record the debut Animals and friends Album "Instinct".
In June 2003, Dave Rowberry suddenly died.The Album had to get finished, but it remained a question if the band would continuing touring. Peter Barton then met up with Mickey Gallagher who had joined The Animals in 1965 when Alan Price left.
Mickey immediately took the offer and re-joined John Steel after almost forty years.
Jim Rodford left to join Argent and unfortunately couldn’t make a combination with both bands’ gig dates. At special occasions Jim’s still a special guest in the Animals & Friends.

The band did two major British tours, a major new album in the shops and has a fantastic fan base, which is growing daily. The band will continue performing as long as there’s the audience that keeps coming out to see them.

**Line-ups change, people live and people die. Sadly two of the original sixties members are no longer with us. Their music continues, as does their legacy. As long as we play the songs that people love we will continue. We will make more albums and continue this fantastic tradition. Eric Burdon, Alan Price and Hilton Valentine are still out there doing it.
Lets hope we all can continue for years to come**.