INTERVIEW: THE ANIMALS IN CONVERSATION WITH JOHN STEEL
Interview by Cecilia Pattison-Levi
The beating heart of one of the world’s most iconic bands, The Animals, founding member John Steel will be performing one last set of live shows in Australia, and it will be your last chance to catch the legendary UK band live.
For those who gather in the 17 music venues across the country in October and November, The Animals (especially John Steel) are promising more than just a gig. They are going to be taking fans through six decades of music history, led by John Steel’s distinctive drum beat rhythms. It’s going to be a celebration of the man and the music who, with each strike of the drum, reminds us why The Animals will forever be revered as one of the most important bands to come out of the United Kingdom and why the band is a true legend of rhythm and blues music, “With a touch of jazz thrown in,” said John Steel.
“I think this is the best line-up of The Animals since the original band,” stated John Steel. “We like to play live music and enjoy ourselves. We play like – well – it’s in your face, no backing track, live music with real instruments. Just ourselves – what you see is what you get, and nothing else is required. It gives us all a buzz”.
Source from John Steel Collection
John Steel is the original drummer of The Animals. It was his tight rhythm control with bassist Bryan James Chandler (aka Chas, who also played that iconic electric guitar riff in ‘House Of The Rising Sun’) that fashioned the golden age of rock ‘n’ roll. “It was an amazing time,” explained John Steel. ‘My generation were the luckiest. We grew up just when swing and jazz were moving into rock ‘n’ roll. I played trumpet back before I took up the drums. And, Chas used to say if John isn’t on the drums, the swing went out of the music. We created some great music and I am grateful for that. It was a marvellous time and life”.
The Animals emerged in 1964 as part of the British Invasion. They carved their place alongside other musical titans like The Beatles, The Kinks and The Rolling Stones. The band came from ‘up North’ or Newcastle, on the banks of the River Tyne. The Animals’ brand of rock combined with rhythm, blues and jazz electrified the world, and at the core of it all was John Steel’s consummate drumming. His positive beats were the pulse of those iconic songs that topped charts globally, including the timeless hits like ‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’, ‘I’m Crying’ and the brilliant ‘It’s My Life’. The sound of the 60s.
“It’s the songs,” stated John Steel. ‘The songs are so strong. They stand on their own. Even last week I was at a village dance where a young boy around 12 years old was playing The Animals songs on his guitar. It took me back to the days in the 1960s when people would meet to dance and drink – and play music. It was a strange thing to think about that boy discovering our music.’
The Animals are about to tour for the final time, and it is the 60th anniversary of the iconic track ‘We Gotta Get Out of This Place’ and it will offer a poignant moment to reflect on the enduring legacy of this legendary musician. “I have heard of this band The Angels that you say play a fantastic version of that song,” stated John Steel. “I really need to see them. It’s just our paths have not crossed. I hope that it can happen”.
It’s not just The Angels who have demonstrated through their dynamic cover the enduring relevance of The Animals impact on modern music. Bruce Springsteen stated, “The Animals, not The Beatles or the Stones, were my favourite British Invasion band.” He later admitted that the three songs by The Animals: ‘I’m Crying’, ‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’ and ‘We Gotta Get Out of This Place’ were the basis of his own songwriting journey. “Yeah. That was a surprise. Bruce Springsteen liking us so much,” said John Steel. “But it’s a moment that, as a musician. I was proud of, - and I can see the music moving down to the next generation”.
The Animals were the real deal. Their ability to channel raw emotion into those songs is the power that John Steel carries forward. The current line-up of The Animals: John Steel alongside Danny Handley, Bobby Ruiz and Barney “Boogie” Williams keeps that spirit alive. Together, they weave a sonic tapestry that bridges the past and present, ensuring the band’s music resonates with audiences. John Steel’s drumming is the driving force that magnifies the energy. Whether it’s ‘Boom Boom’ or ‘Sky Pilot’, his rhythms breathe life into every song.
So, this is your last chance to catch The Animals live in Australia as they perform ‘The Final Curtain Tour’. The band has announced 17 dates where music fans can catch them. As John Steel said, “Australia has always felt like a second home for us. The fans here have been amazing over the years, and we just had to come back to enjoy one more chapter of this amazing journey”. I know I can’t wait!
The Animals: The Final Curtain Australian Tour Dates 2025
Thursday, October 23 – Flamingos (Lizottes), Newcastle, NSW
Friday, October 24 – South Sydney Juniors, Kingsford, NSW
Saturday, October 25 – The Bridge Hotel, Rozelle, NSW
Friday, October 31 – Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul, NSW
Saturday, November 1 – Selina’s Coogee Bay Hotel, Coogee, NSW
Sunday, November 2 – Bicentennial Hall, Queanbeyan, NSW
Tuesday, November 4 – The Princess Theatre, Woolloongabba, QLD
Thursday, November 6 – The Empire Theatre, Toowoomba, QLD
Friday, November 7 – Twin Towers, Tweed Heads, NSW
Saturday, November 8 – Saraton Theatre, Grafton, NSW
Tuesday, November 11 – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat, VIC
Wednesday, November 12 – Palms at Crown, Melbourne, VIC
Friday, November 14 – West Gippsland Performing Arts Centre, Warragul, VIC
Saturday, November 15 – Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre, Wonthaggi, VIC
Tuesday, November 18 – The Gov, Adelaide, SA
Friday, November 21 – Astor Theatre, Perth, WA
Saturday, November 22 – Freo Social, Fremantle, WA
