Post by wingsj0 on Dec 28, 2005 19:21:37 GMT
In Loving Memory of Dave Rowberry from The Animals -By Jo Rishton.
When the sad news of Dave Rowberry’s death was broadcast on the 6th June 2003 I was shocked. Being a fellow pianist myself, I’ve always admired the extraordinary talent of Dave Rowberry. His contribution to British music was often over-looked; his knowledge of arranging music scores was the work of an un-sung genius. Four months before his death I had the pleasure of hearing Dave Rowberry perform live with The Animals And Friends at my local theatre in Preston. Throughout the evening I was left spell bound at Rowberry’s keyboard rifts and memories of performing with The Animals. So it’s with a great honour and respect that I compile this tribute in his memory.
PROFILE
Dave Rowberry was born on the 7th of July 1940 in Nottingham England. A musician since his teens he turned professional in his twenties and failed to complete the degree he’d studied hard for at Newcastle University. Instead, Rowberry choose to build up a reputation for him self by playing the piano and organ in various Jazz and Blues bands throughout the city (Newcastle).
Rowberry performed as a session musician in the renamed group Mike Cotton Soundmen who were originally known as Mike Cotton Jazzmen. During his time with the Mike Cotton Jazzmen Rowberry become a backing artist to the likes of Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, Solomon Burke, Tom Jones, P.J. Proby, and Sonny Boy Williamson II.
Alan Price Left The Animals at the beginning of 1965, his sudden departure didn’t stop The Animals from cancelling there 1965 scheduled tour of Scandinavia. Instead they filled Price place with session man Mickey Gallagher on keyboards until band members Eric Burdon and Chas Chandler approached Dave Rowberry who replaced Allan Price as a permanent band member of the band in May 1965.
Rowberry played on the majority of Animals greatest hits such as ‘We’ve Gotta Get Out Of This Place’, ‘Don’t Bring Me Down’; it’s My Life to name a few were he left his famous signature tune as a true master of the keyboards. It was Rowberry who was responsible for The Animals arrangement of ‘See See Rider’ the band enjoyed a top ten US hit with this record during 1966.
During his time with The Animals former band members Hilton Valentine, Eric Burdon, John Steel, agreed his performance helped strengthened the bands incredible line-up. However, throughout his career as an ‘Animal’ in the eyes of the music industry continued to honour the talent of his shadow, Alan Price because of his classic performance on the Animals classic House Of The Rising Sun which went to Number on in every country throughout Europe. Throughout his career with The Animals Rowberry contributed to two of the Animals biggest selling albums, Animalism which is regarded as the best by fans throught the world and the bands top selling album within the group’s history The Best Of The Animals.
The Animals - Inside Looking Out (Live, 1966)
The Animals called it a day on September 1966, after there month and a half US Tour Came to an end.
During the 80s Rowberry slotted back into session work, living a relatively low profile until the mid 90s when he joined his former band mates Hilton Valentine, John Steel, in The Animals II shows.
When The Animals line-up received the ultimate honour of being placed into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of fame alongside the group he performed in for 5 years he was once again brushed aside in favour of Alan Price. All his life his remarkable talent has lived in the shadow of Price who didn’t last that long in The Animals.
Eric Burdon & The Animals - See See Rider (Live, 1967)
Former band member Hilton Valentine feels very strongly about this and have been campaigning on his official web site for the past three years in hoping that his name will ‘rightfully’ appear alongside the rest of the group in the rock ‘n’roll hall of fame. Here what former band mate and friend of the late great Dave Rowberry had to say about the time he spent working with such an un-sung rock ‘n’ roll keyboard virtuoso.
Jo Rishton
Hilton Valentine Personal Tribute
Dave,
Likeable, easy going, intelligent, great sense of humour
and a really great keyboard player. That's who you were and was glad I could share that with you.
I really enjoyed our time together, then and now.
Love,
Hilton
Thanks to Hilton Valentine for approving this article and for sending us his tribute in loving memory of Dave Rowberry.
Please note all articles on this site are (C) to The Beat Goes On And On Fanzine and may not be used without permission.
When the sad news of Dave Rowberry’s death was broadcast on the 6th June 2003 I was shocked. Being a fellow pianist myself, I’ve always admired the extraordinary talent of Dave Rowberry. His contribution to British music was often over-looked; his knowledge of arranging music scores was the work of an un-sung genius. Four months before his death I had the pleasure of hearing Dave Rowberry perform live with The Animals And Friends at my local theatre in Preston. Throughout the evening I was left spell bound at Rowberry’s keyboard rifts and memories of performing with The Animals. So it’s with a great honour and respect that I compile this tribute in his memory.
PROFILE
Dave Rowberry was born on the 7th of July 1940 in Nottingham England. A musician since his teens he turned professional in his twenties and failed to complete the degree he’d studied hard for at Newcastle University. Instead, Rowberry choose to build up a reputation for him self by playing the piano and organ in various Jazz and Blues bands throughout the city (Newcastle).
Rowberry performed as a session musician in the renamed group Mike Cotton Soundmen who were originally known as Mike Cotton Jazzmen. During his time with the Mike Cotton Jazzmen Rowberry become a backing artist to the likes of Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, Solomon Burke, Tom Jones, P.J. Proby, and Sonny Boy Williamson II.
Alan Price Left The Animals at the beginning of 1965, his sudden departure didn’t stop The Animals from cancelling there 1965 scheduled tour of Scandinavia. Instead they filled Price place with session man Mickey Gallagher on keyboards until band members Eric Burdon and Chas Chandler approached Dave Rowberry who replaced Allan Price as a permanent band member of the band in May 1965.
Rowberry played on the majority of Animals greatest hits such as ‘We’ve Gotta Get Out Of This Place’, ‘Don’t Bring Me Down’; it’s My Life to name a few were he left his famous signature tune as a true master of the keyboards. It was Rowberry who was responsible for The Animals arrangement of ‘See See Rider’ the band enjoyed a top ten US hit with this record during 1966.
During his time with The Animals former band members Hilton Valentine, Eric Burdon, John Steel, agreed his performance helped strengthened the bands incredible line-up. However, throughout his career as an ‘Animal’ in the eyes of the music industry continued to honour the talent of his shadow, Alan Price because of his classic performance on the Animals classic House Of The Rising Sun which went to Number on in every country throughout Europe. Throughout his career with The Animals Rowberry contributed to two of the Animals biggest selling albums, Animalism which is regarded as the best by fans throught the world and the bands top selling album within the group’s history The Best Of The Animals.
The Animals - Inside Looking Out (Live, 1966)
The Animals called it a day on September 1966, after there month and a half US Tour Came to an end.
During the 80s Rowberry slotted back into session work, living a relatively low profile until the mid 90s when he joined his former band mates Hilton Valentine, John Steel, in The Animals II shows.
When The Animals line-up received the ultimate honour of being placed into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of fame alongside the group he performed in for 5 years he was once again brushed aside in favour of Alan Price. All his life his remarkable talent has lived in the shadow of Price who didn’t last that long in The Animals.
Eric Burdon & The Animals - See See Rider (Live, 1967)
Former band member Hilton Valentine feels very strongly about this and have been campaigning on his official web site for the past three years in hoping that his name will ‘rightfully’ appear alongside the rest of the group in the rock ‘n’roll hall of fame. Here what former band mate and friend of the late great Dave Rowberry had to say about the time he spent working with such an un-sung rock ‘n’ roll keyboard virtuoso.
Jo Rishton
Hilton Valentine Personal Tribute
Dave,
Likeable, easy going, intelligent, great sense of humour
and a really great keyboard player. That's who you were and was glad I could share that with you.
I really enjoyed our time together, then and now.
Love,
Hilton
Thanks to Hilton Valentine for approving this article and for sending us his tribute in loving memory of Dave Rowberry.
Please note all articles on this site are (C) to The Beat Goes On And On Fanzine and may not be used without permission.