A blue plaque has been unveiled in honour of guitar legend Hilton Valentine at his childhood home in North Tyneside.
The unveiling ceremony was held at Coburg Street, North Shields, where the musician lived between 1944 and 1960.
A founding member of 60s ‘British Invasion’ group, The Animals, Hilton was best known for composing one of the most famous rock intros of all time from the band’s breakthrough hit, House of the Rising Sun, in 1964.
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He was greatly admired by other rock and roll legends such as Bob Dylan for his distinctive playing on a string of hit records, including We Gotta Get out of This Place and Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.
Hilton and his bandmates Eric Burdon, Chas Chandler, Alan Price, and John Steel were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and Hollywood’s Rock Walk of Fame in 2001.
In 2011, he returned to his musical roots and paid tribute to the street where he grew up with the album Skiffledog on Coburg Street.
His last recording in 2019 was River Tyne, a sombre folk song that celebrated the river close to his boyhood home. Hilton died in January this year, aged 77.
The plaque unveiling event on Tuesday featured music from his three bands – The Heppers, The Wildcats, and The Animals - courtesy of the TyneIdols bus, and there were talks from those who knew him best including his wife, Germaine, who made a special visit from their home in Connecticut.
She said Hilton would have been deeply moved by the dedication and that, although he achieved global fame, the River Tyne was "in his veins".
And Ray Laidlaw of Lindisfarne - The Band described him as "one of the best rock and roll guitar players you’ll ever see or hear".
Coun Pat Oliver, deputy chair of North Tyneside Council, said: “Hilton Valentine was a pioneering guitarist whose unique playing style influenced the sound of rock and roll over many decades and had a profound impact on fans and musicians alike.
“Although he enjoyed worldwide fame, he was a proud North Shields lad who frequently drew on his North Tyneside heritage as a source of inspiration in his music.
"As a council we thought it was important to recognise and pay tribute to his phenomenal talent and to mark the place where his musical journey began.
“I hope the plaque will bring joy to his family, friends, and fans in North Tyneside.”
