Eric Victor Burdon (born 11 May 1941) is an English singer-songwriter and actor. He was previously the vocalist of rock band The Animals and funk band War. He is regarded as one of the British Invasion‘s most distinctive singers with his deep, powerful blues-rock voice. He is also known for his aggressive stage performances.

In 2008, he was ranked 57th in Rolling Stone‘s list The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. Burdon was lead singer of the Animals, formed during 1962 in Newcastle upon Tyne. The original band was the Alan Price Rhythm and Blues Combo, which formed in 1958;^[10] they became the Animals shortly after Burdon joined the band. The Animals combined electric blues with rock and in the USA were one of the leading bands of the British Invasion.^[11] Along with the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Who, the Hollies, the Dave Clark Five, and the Kinks, the group introduced British music and fashion. Burdon’s powerful voice can be heard on the Animals’ singles “The House of the Rising Sun“, “Baby Let Me Take You Home“, “I’m Crying“, “Boom Boom“, “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood“, “Bring It On Home to Me“, “We Gotta Get out of This Place“, “It’s My Life“, “Don’t Bring Me Down“, “See See Rider“, “Monterey“, and “Sky Pilot“.