Eric Burdon of The Animals fame came to the River Rock Show Theatre. We had met before, but this time we talked about his career and how his group became a major part of the British Invasion in the mid-Sixties. His song House of  the Rising Sun became a major hit. I wonder if the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council would allow this song — about a New Orleans whorehouse — on the air today?

We talked about two of his major influences, Ray Charles and John Lee Hooker. His 2006 album Soul of Man was dedicated to these two legends. Eric has two memoirs out: the latest is Don’t Let Me Be  Misunderstood (the title of one of his major hits).

Rolling Stone magazine ranked Eric as one of  the top 100 greatest  singers of  all time. He is admired by many of his peers including Tom Petty, Joe  Cocker and Robert Plant. Eric is in fine voice and if anything sounds better today than he did ten years ago.