Hilton Valentine, guitarist with the Animals, dies aged 77

The Animals guitarist Hilton Valentine, who created one of the most famous riffs in pop music in the 1960s, has died at the age of 77. The Animals' record label ABKCO Music described Valentine as a "Pioneering guitar player influencing the sound of rock and roll for decades to come". North Shields-born Valentine died on Friday, ABKCO said on Twitter. Valentine co-founded the Animals in Newcastle in 1963 alongside singer Eric Burdon, bassist Chas Chandler, organist Alan Price and drummer John Steel. ABKCO Music said: "Our deepest sympathies go out to Hilton Valentine's family and friends."

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