John Steel of The Animals on House of the Rising Sun, Newcastle & Beatlemania

In this episode of The Liner Notes Club, Phil sits down with John Steel for a fascinating deep dive into the birth of one of Britain’s most influential bands.  John traces his journey from teenage jazz fan in industrial Newcastle to founding member of The Animals, recalling the early days with Eric Burdon, discovering American blues records brought over by merchant seamen, and witnessing the explosion of rock ’n’ roll in 1950s Britain.  The conversation explores the working-class roots of British rhythm & blues, the legendary Club A Go-Go scene, encounters with figures like Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and The Rolling Stones, and the whirlwind rise that followed the release of House of the Rising Sun — recorded live in a single take.  John also reflects on the enduring power of songs like We Gotta Get Out of This Place and It’s My Life, the band’s influence on artists such as Bruce Springsteen, and why the music of The Animals still resonates more than sixty years later.  A rich, funny and deeply human conversation about blues, class consciousness, chance encounters, and the moment British music changed forever.