Dave Rowberry
Encyclopedia
Dave Rowberry was an English
piano
and organ
player, most known for being a member of the rock
and R&B
group The Animals
in the 1960s.
Born David Eric Rowberry in Mapperley
, Nottinghamshire
, Rowberry entered the Newcastle-upon-Tyne blues
and jazz
music scene in the early 1960s, when he was at Newcastle University. He joined The Mike Cotton Jazzmen (later The Mike Cotton Sound) in 1962, who made a living backing American
blues and pop
acts touring England
. Rowberry Played on the groups singles 1962-1965, their hit Swing That Hammer, as well as their self titled album.
The Animals were already one of the major British Invasion
groups in May 1965 when founding keyboardist
Alan Price
suddenly left due to fear of flying
and other issues. According to lead singer Eric Burdon
, Rowberry, while considered a good musician, was chosen partly because of his passing physical resemblance to Price. On the other hand, Burdon's crony Zoot Money
claims that he was approached first, and Rowberry only selected as a second choice.
In any event, Rowberry played many of the group's big hits, including "We Gotta Get Out of This Place
", "It's My Life", "Don't Bring Me Down", "Inside-Looking Out
", and "See See Rider
". For a number of songs, including the last of these, Rowberry was credited as the arranger
. He was also prominent on Animalisms
/Animalization
, often considered one of the most consistent albums of the group's recording
career. He also sang backing vocals and did some occasional songwriting for the group.
The original incarnation of The Animals collapsed in September 1966, and Rowberry became a session musician
; he was not part of the Eric Burdon and The Animals group of the late 1960s. He also did reunite a few times on projects with his bandmates the Mike Cotton Sound as well. The most notable one was The Kinks
album, Everybody's in Show-Biz
. Rowberry played on the single "Celluloid Heroes
" and some keyboard instrument
s on the album. He also appeared with the Kinks on television during this time on the song, "Supersonic Rocket Ship
". Rowberry also played on many albums by blues singer Dana Gillespie
in the 1980s and 1990s.
When the first incarnation Animals reformed in December 1968 and 1976, only Price without Rowberry was included. When a second keyboardist was added to the original group's third reunion in 1983 to early 1984, it was Money and not Rowberry. When The Animals were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
in 1994, again, only the original five members including Price were honored, despite the attempts by some fans to include Rowberry (as well as Barry Jenkins
, another later member of the "first" lineup) inducted alongside them. Their efforts were unsuccessful. Rowberry was present at the May 2001 reunion concert on Burdon's birthday, along with Eric Burdon, John Steel and Hilton Valentine
.
In the mid 1990s, Rowberry joined former founding bandmates Hilton Valentine on guitar and John Steel
on drums in The Animals II, one of several different Animals spin-off bands of that time; during that decade he also worked as free-lance musician in the London
jazz
scene and was a member of Shut Up Frank, with Noel Redding
, Dave Clarke
and Mick Avory
of The Kinks. They toured extensively and recorded several albums, which are still available on Mouse Records.
Rowberry died in London of an ulcer
haemorrhage on 6 June 2003, at the age of 62.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
player, most known for being a member of the rock
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
and R&B
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
group The Animals
The Animals
The Animals were an English music group of the 1960s formed in Newcastle upon Tyne during the early part of the decade, and later relocated to London...
in the 1960s.
Born David Eric Rowberry in Mapperley
Mapperley
Mapperley is a residential and commercial area of north-eastern Nottingham, England. The area is bounded by Sherwood to the north-west, Thorneywood to the south and Gedling to the east.-History:...
, Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire is a county in the East Midlands of England, bordering South Yorkshire to the north-west, Lincolnshire to the east, Leicestershire to the south, and Derbyshire to the west...
, Rowberry entered the Newcastle-upon-Tyne blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
and jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
music scene in the early 1960s, when he was at Newcastle University. He joined The Mike Cotton Jazzmen (later The Mike Cotton Sound) in 1962, who made a living backing American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
blues and pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
acts touring England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Rowberry Played on the groups singles 1962-1965, their hit Swing That Hammer, as well as their self titled album.
The Animals were already one of the major British Invasion
British Invasion
The British Invasion is a term used to describe the large number of rock and roll, beat, rock, and pop performers from the United Kingdom who became popular in the United States during the time period from 1964 through 1966.- Background :...
groups in May 1965 when founding keyboardist
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
Alan Price
Alan Price
Alan Price is an English musician, best known as the original keyboardist for the English band The Animals, and for his subsequent solo work....
suddenly left due to fear of flying
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder defined as a morbid fear of having a panic attack or panic-like symptoms in a situation from which it is perceived to be difficult to escape. These situations can include, but are not limited to, wide-open spaces, crowds, or uncontrolled social conditions...
and other issues. According to lead singer Eric Burdon
Eric Burdon
Eric Victor Burdon is an English singer-songwriter best known as a founding member and vocalist of rock band The Animals, and the funk rock band War and for his aggressive stage performance...
, Rowberry, while considered a good musician, was chosen partly because of his passing physical resemblance to Price. On the other hand, Burdon's crony Zoot Money
Zoot Money
George Bruno Money, known as Zoot Money is a British vocalist, keyboardist and bandleader best known for his playing of the Hammond organ and association with his Big Roll Band...
claims that he was approached first, and Rowberry only selected as a second choice.
In any event, Rowberry played many of the group's big hits, including "We Gotta Get Out of This Place
We Gotta Get out of This Place
"We Gotta Get out of This Place", occasionally written "We've Gotta Get out of This Place", is a rock song written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil and recorded as a 1965 hit single by The Animals...
", "It's My Life", "Don't Bring Me Down", "Inside-Looking Out
Inside-Looking Out
"Inside-Looking Out", often written "Inside Looking Out", is a 1966 single by The Animals. It was a substantial hit in their native land, reaching number 12 on the UK Singles Chart, number 21 in Canada, but was at best a minor hit in the United States, reaching number 34 on the U.S...
", and "See See Rider
See See Rider
The song is generally regarded as being traditional in origin. Ma Rainey's version became popular during 1925, as "See See Rider Blues." It became one of the most famous of all blues songs, with well over 100 versions. It was recorded by Big Bill Broonzy, Mississippi John Hurt, Lead Belly,...
". For a number of songs, including the last of these, Rowberry was credited as the arranger
Arrangement
The American Federation of Musicians defines arranging as "the art of preparing and adapting an already written composition for presentation in other than its original form. An arrangement may include reharmonization, paraphrasing, and/or development of a composition, so that it fully represents...
. He was also prominent on Animalisms
Animalisms
Animalisms is the third British album by British group The Animals. It has a track listing generally similar to the American version Animalization that would be released two months later....
/Animalization
Animalization
Animalization is the fourth American album by British R&B group The Animals. It has a track listing somewhat similar to the British album Animalisms...
, often considered one of the most consistent albums of the group's recording
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
career. He also sang backing vocals and did some occasional songwriting for the group.
The original incarnation of The Animals collapsed in September 1966, and Rowberry became a session musician
Session musician
Session musicians are instrumental and vocal performers, musicians, who are available to work with others at live performances or recording sessions. Usually such musicians are not permanent members of a musical ensemble and often do not achieve fame in their own right as soloists or bandleaders...
; he was not part of the Eric Burdon and The Animals group of the late 1960s. He also did reunite a few times on projects with his bandmates the Mike Cotton Sound as well. The most notable one was The Kinks
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
album, Everybody's in Show-Biz
Everybody's in Show-Biz
Everybody's in Show-Biz is the tenth studio album released by English rock group The Kinks, released in 1972. A double album, the first disc features studio recordings, while the second disc documents a two-night Carnegie Hall stand....
. Rowberry played on the single "Celluloid Heroes
Celluloid Heroes
"Celluloid Heroes" is a song performed by The Kinks and written by their lead vocalist and principal songwriter, Ray Davies. It debuted on their 1972 album Everybody's in Show-Biz.-Lyrical themes:...
" and some keyboard instrument
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
s on the album. He also appeared with the Kinks on television during this time on the song, "Supersonic Rocket Ship
Supersonic Rocket Ship
Supersonic Rocket Ship is a single recorded by British rock band The Kinks, written by Ray Davies. It was released on May 5, 1972, in the UK, and in September of that year for its US release. 'Supersonic Rocket Ship' was also included as a track on the double LP Everybody's in Show-Biz, which was...
". Rowberry also played on many albums by blues singer Dana Gillespie
Dana Gillespie
Dana Gillespie is an English actress and singer.-Career:Gillespie was born to the Baron De Winterstein Gillespie, an Austrian radiologist, and his wife. She grew up in England and her family's villa in Maccagno, a village on Lake Maggiore, Italy...
in the 1980s and 1990s.
When the first incarnation Animals reformed in December 1968 and 1976, only Price without Rowberry was included. When a second keyboardist was added to the original group's third reunion in 1983 to early 1984, it was Money and not Rowberry. When The Animals were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,...
in 1994, again, only the original five members including Price were honored, despite the attempts by some fans to include Rowberry (as well as Barry Jenkins
Barry Jenkins
Colin Ernest "Barry" Jenkins is an English musician, who is best known for being a drummer for The Animals during both of that 1960s group's incarnations....
, another later member of the "first" lineup) inducted alongside them. Their efforts were unsuccessful. Rowberry was present at the May 2001 reunion concert on Burdon's birthday, along with Eric Burdon, John Steel and Hilton Valentine
Hilton Valentine
Hilton Valentine is an English musician, who was the original guitarist in the The Animals.-Biography:Valentine was influenced by the 1950s skiffle craze...
.
In the mid 1990s, Rowberry joined former founding bandmates Hilton Valentine on guitar and John Steel
John Steel (drummer)
For other persons named John Steele, see John Steele .John Steel 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...
on drums in The Animals II, one of several different Animals spin-off bands of that time; during that decade he also worked as free-lance musician in the London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
scene and was a member of Shut Up Frank, with Noel Redding
Noel Redding
Noel Redding was an English rock and roll guitarist best known as the bassist for The Jimi Hendrix Experience.-Biography:...
, Dave Clarke
Dave Clarke (musician)
Dave Clarke is a singer, guitarist and keyboard player.-Biography:Clarke started playing piano at the age of 4 and guitar at 9. His first record in 1963 was produced by Luigi Creatore at New York’s Roulette Records. Often confused with his Dave Clark Five namesake, his 1971 solo album Pale Horse...
and Mick Avory
Mick Avory
Michael Charles "Mick" Avory is an English musician, best known as the longtime drummer and percussionist for the British rock band, The Kinks, joining them shortly after their formation in 1964 and remaining with them until 1984, when he left amid creative friction with guitarist Dave Davies...
of The Kinks. They toured extensively and recorded several albums, which are still available on Mouse Records.
Rowberry died in London of an ulcer
Peptic ulcer
A peptic ulcer, also known as PUD or peptic ulcer disease, is the most common ulcer of an area of the gastrointestinal tract that is usually acidic and thus extremely painful. It is defined as mucosal erosions equal to or greater than 0.5 cm...
haemorrhage on 6 June 2003, at the age of 62.