Chas Chandler: From British Invasion Bassist to Hendrix’s Manager
After a successful run in the mid-60s—thanks to three massive hits: House Of The Rising Sun (1964), Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood (1965), and We’ve Gotta Get Out of This Place (also 1965)—English rockers The Animals broke up and later reformed in America as Eric Burdon and the Animals.
This second incarnation of the band didn’t match the success of the original lineup, although they did manage a few chart appearances, most notably with San Franciscan Nights (1967).
Aside from their original material, The Animals also covered several established classics, including Boom Boom (John Lee Hooker), Mess Around and Hallelujah I Love Her So (Ray Charles), Sweet Little Sixteen (Chuck Berry), and Ring Of Fire (Johnny Cash).
As part of the British Invasion, The Animals helped forge a musical bond between the U.K. and U.S. during the 1960s. Led by The Beatles, other acts included The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Yardbirds, Dusty Springfield, The Kinks, and Van Morrison. Alongside American artists heading the other way, this exchange laid the foundations of modern popular music.
Perhaps The Animals’ most unexpected legacy came via their bass player, Chas Chandler, who went on to discover, mentor, and manage none other than Jimi Hendrix.
It was apparently Chas who suggested Jimi set his Strat on fire. He also recruited Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell, introduced Hendrix to Eric Clapton, and financed the recording of Hey Joe—his first single. Chandler played a key role during Jimi’s early studio sessions but walked away during the Electric Ladyland recordings, citing Hendrix’s increasing self-indulgence, lengthy recording habits, and heavy LSD use.
After leaving what many consider the most culturally significant guitarist of all time, Chas went on to manage English rock band Slade, guiding them to six U.K. number ones.
In later life, Chandler often found himself fielding questions about Hendrix. In interviews (one of which is featured in the playlist above), he revealed that the two had reconciled and were planning to work together again—just before Jimi’s untimely death from misadventure.
The Animals Tunes | Related Pages
Hey Joe | Chords + TAB
You can learn to play Hey Joe by Jimi Hendrix/Billy Roberts using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recordings.
| C G | D A | E7 | E7 |
Hey Joe, ah where you goin’ with that gun of your hand…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Hey Joe (Jimi Hendrix) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
House Of The Rising Sun | Chords + TAB
You can learn to play House Of The Rising Sun by The Animals using chords, lyrics, a chord chart, chord analysis, and the original recording.
| Am | C | D | F |
There is a house in New Orleans…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: House Of The Rising Sun (The Animals) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Ring of Fire | Chords + TAB
You can learn to play Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| G |3/4 G G/D C |4/4 G |
Love is a burning thing…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Ring Of Fire (Johnny Cash) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
The Animals on the web
