Rock legends the Animals and Friends pictured here, were pleased to spend time with the Isle of Wight’s own icon of photography Julia Margaret Cameron and share the stage with the master of the stratocaster Jimi Hendrix before their sell-out gig at the Winter Gardens in Ventnor last Friday.

Island Pulse were privileged to meet up with the guys at East Cowes and whisk them off to Dimbola Lodge Museum where Brian Hinton MBE and John Holsburt, showed everyone true Island hospitality.

A tour of the Isle of Wight Festival memorabilia and Dimbola photographic exhibitions preceded a photocall with the bronze Jimi Hendrix statue in the memorial garden. With strong links to Hendrix, through his manager original Animal Chas Chandler, it seemed an appropriate place to start their first professional visit to the Isle of Wight.

For founder Animal’s member John Steel (percussion) this was his second visit to the Island, having previously visited back in the mid sixties and Christian Madden (keyboards) having performed here at Bestival with his band The Earlies. 

For Peter Barton (bass & lead vocals) and John Williamson (lead guitar & backing vocal) this was their first time, however, it was apparent that they all were enjoying the Island’s pace and scenery after their recent return from the hectic sell-out gigs in Scandinavia.

Now into digital photography John Williamson took some time out to capture some of the Island’s scenery and was rewarded with a perfect sunset over Compton Bay on the way to their sound check for the evening’s gig.

Anticipation building, it seemed a long time till the evening’s performance, obviously not only for Island Pulse as returning to the venue early we discovered that most of the audience had arrived early too!  Excitement filled the air and with the buzz around the room everyone just knew they were in for something special.

Wow!!! From the moment the Animals walked on stage the atmosphere was electric.  Throughout the gig Peter’s vocals were both powerful and dynamic, to say the least, and in every number Christian’s keyboards and John Williamsons guitar perfectly complemented the tight rhythm section laid down by both Peter and John Steel. 

The Animals energy was contagious and it wasn’t long before the audience were dancing and if not dancing then singing along to such classics as ‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’ and ‘Don’t Bring Me Down’.

Billed as Animals and Friends, everyone’s friend Spencer Davis arrived on stage, launching into ‘Keep On Running’ and the timeless classic ‘Gimme Some Loving’ accompanied by the Animals and the audience were treated to yet another side of their talents.  This was a night to remember and we know that everyone we spoke too felt time had stood still and we were part of a new history in the making (see photo album below).

All too soon the show was reaching its climax ‘The House of the Rising Sun’ exhausted but happy everyone that was there experienced a fantastic musical treat. 

The queues to meet the Animals and Spencer Davis after the show said it all, with the guys autographing CD’s and almost anything that could be written on, taking time to chat with their fans and of course being photographed with our competition winners, Ian and Chrissy, it was a fitting end to the evening. 

Personally we can’t wait to see them again (watch this space), maturing like a fine wine, effervescent yet powerful, maybe that’s why the audience was intoxicated with the Animals experience.

Sell Out Animal Gig Rocks The Wight 2007

Media Photo Gallery of Animals & Friends Available Now From Island Lifestyles 2020 Click HERE:

Published Article and Images Copyright Island Pulse.