By Thomas Semioli

Orange and red beams, in and out, peek through my window…

“He’s one of the best bass guitarists I’ve heard!’  Jimi Hendrix

Best known for his tenure in the psychedelic blues version of Eric Burdon’s “New” Animals following Chas Chandler’s departure, the late Danny McCulloch waxed a handful of fine sides and singles with the band including Winds of Change (1967), “Monterey,” “Sky Pilot,” and the lost gem of a slab Every One of Us (1968).

A singer, writer, and solo recording artist, Danny’s playing drew attention from Jimi Hendrix and Billboard among others.  McCulloch also plied his craft with Jerry Lee Lewis, Tony Craven & The Casuals, Screaming Lord Sutch & the Savages, and Muddy Waters, to cite a few.

Danny reunited with The Animals in 1992 for a one-off performance in Moscow’s Red Square to benefit the United Nations Association Trust and the Children of Chernobyl fund.

In 1993 Danny was considered to replace Bill Wyman in the Rolling Stones.  McCulloch was still creating new music and performing when he passed suddenly in 2015.

Danny McCulloch Sound & Vision

With The New Animals

“Monterey” Live on German TV https://youtu.be/fV4lAEIGfDA

“White Houses” https://youtu.be/vnHFprGvhFU

“Orange and Red Beams” https://youtu.be/FI2ysZ5Iis4

“San Franciscan Nights” https://youtu.be/hKXTWHogIqI

Danny solo

“Colour of the Sunset” https://youtu.be/O5x1OULIbMg

“Mirror of the Sky” https://youtu.be/DpjlOYgC6pc

Wings of A Man (1969) https://youtu.be/sszTtOaa60U

His bass motifs as rendered in “We’ve Gotta Get Out of This Place,” “House of the Rising Sun,” and “It’s My Life” are among the most identifiable in the history of rock ‘n’ roll.

As a player, the late Bryan James “Chas” Chandler made history as the harmonic bedrock of one of Britain’s most influential ensembles: The Animals.

As an artist manager, which was a career change he forged in 1966, Chas brought the former Jimmy James to England, convinced him to revert to his birth name of Hendrix, hired novice bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell, and the rest, as they say is history.

After he ended his managerial relationship with Jimi, Chas produced and managed British glam rock gods Slade for a dozen years -scoring several hit platters which continue to influence modern rockers.

Though Chas hardly receives due recognition, he was a venerable bassist (and backing vocalist) who steered the music as his mates, most notably singer Eric Burdon and keyboardist Alan Price – wreaked havoc on the bandstand and on record. When the classic line-up of The Animals reunited for two woefully ignored albums; Before We Were So Rudely Interrupted (1977) and Ark (1983), Chandler resumed his role with commendable results.

Chas Chandler Sound & Vision….

The Animals:

“House of the Rising Sun” https://youtu.be/4-43lLKaqBQ

“We Gotta Get Out of This Place” https://youtu.be/t6gcxNFc1I0

“It’s My Life” https://youtu.be/ILZndyhHWQ4

“I’m Crying” https://youtu.be/3L65GOR-9b8

Dig Chas and the reunited Animals performing “The Night” in 1983 https://youtu.be/0PPe_zeX4ks