Song of the Day 4/27: Alan Price, “O Lucky Man”
We have entered a world where British tabloids now print the truth in order to dispel internet rumors. Take the case just this week of British musician Alan Price — don’t say “Alan who?” I’ll tell you in a moment — whose death briefly became a swiftly-spreading rumor on social media across the pond. He is, of course, still alive.
Price, who just turned 79, was the founder and keyboard player for the Animals, who started out as the snappily named Alan Price Rhythm and Blues Combo before frontman Eric Burdon joined in 1962. He left in 1965 fronting his own band, the Alan Price Set (he has a knack for snappy band names) and is well-known in England. I know him because he wrote the soundtrack to the 1973 British New Wave film “O Lucky Man,” which starred Malcolm McDowell.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK3P97RfVaI
Though Burdon got the glory, Price was the heart and soul of the Animals, and he was a pretty good singer himself.
Price was also responsible for introducing Randy Newman to British audiences. He first recorded this tune — England was enraptured with whimsy in the wake of Sgt. Pepper — then made an album featuring seven of Newman’s compositions.
Listening to ‘Simon Smith & The Amazing Dancing Bear’ I can’t help but think of a friend who insisted that the Beatles ruined rock music by befouling it with the introduction of Brittish Pantomime music.
Little known Alan Price fact: He left The Animals because of his fear of flying. He claims that he had a couple of vodkas before every flight to calm himself.
Excellent songwriter