John Steel

For other persons named John Steel, see John Steel (disambiguation). John Steel (born 4 February 1941, Gateshead, England) was the original drummer of the band, The Animals, and is the owner of the rights to the band's name, by virtue of a trademark registration. Steel went to the Gateshead Grammar School. He met the future lead singer of The Animals, Eric Burdon, while they were studying together at the Newcastle College of Art and Industrial De... more

For other persons named John Steel, see John Steel (disambiguation). John Steel (born 4 February 1941, Gateshead, England) was the original drummer of the band, The Animals, and is the owner of the rights to the band's name, by virtue of a trademark registration. Steel went to the Gateshead Grammar School. He met the future lead singer of The Animals, Eric Burdon, while they were studying together at the Newcastle College of Art and Industrial Design. Originally a trumpeter, he and Burdon formed a jazz group in January 1957 called The Pagan Jazzmen. They soon switched instruments and embraced the new rock 'n' roll explosion, when they became The Pagans. In March 1959, Steel and Burdon met Alan Price at a church hop in Byker, Newcastle, and joined forces. The band went through many name changes and different personnel until, as The Kansas City 5, they broke up on Friday 18 May 1962. In 1962 Price formed The Alan Price Rhythm and Blues Combo. John Steel then replaced Barry Preston as... less