A representative for ABKCO Records announced Valentine’s passing on behalf of his wife, Germaine Valentine. A cause of death was not immediately made available.

In 1963, Valentine was recruited by Eric Burdon, Chas Chandler, and Alan Price to join what would become THE ANIMALS. The UK band quickly made a name for themselves thanks to their high-energy concerts and rock ‘n’ roll covers of Nina Simone, Sam Cooke, and John Lee Hooker. They achieved their first No. 1 single in 1964 with “House of the Rising Sun”, on which Valentine is credited with playing the song’s iconic arpeggio introduction.

 

By 1966, THE ANIMALS’ original lineup officially disbanded.

 

While Burton continued on under the banner Eric Burdon and the Animals, Valentine instead pursued a solo career. He and the rest of THE ANIMALS’ original lineup did however reunite on several occasions, including in 1968, 1975, 1983, and in 1994 — when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.