Eric Burdon at the Redondo Beach 2003 Lobsterfest
Live review by Pat Benny

It's nearly nine pm, and the Redondo Beach Lobsterfest is drawing to a close. The September sun is long gone and restaurant row is shutting down. The last of the Live Maine lobsters has been consumed, not to mention the roasted ears of corn, the fish tacos and all of the many fine food offered at this event. After two days of fine food, good times and good music, the only thing keeping this crowd of thousands was to see Eric Burdon, a living legend.

Although Eric Burdon and the Animals do not attract the same attention as the Rolling Stones, the Who and Eric Clapton, his body of work cannot be refuted, nor his contribution to music as we know it today. When the Beatles launched the so-called British Invasion, we Americans were temporarily blinded by the newness, the fashion of the young men who came to our shores to entertain us. It took awhile, but we gradually weeded through the trendy pop combos until the real talent emerged. Bands like the Kinks, the Yardbirds, Van Morrison's Them and of course the Animals, featuring Eric Burdon. It took us years to fully appreciate the fact that it was American Rhythm and Blues, long ignored by most of our country, that they graciously returned to us. Eric Burdon was a huge part of that effort and for that alone he deserves his place in music history.

But the legacy of Eric Burdon doesn't end there. As the San Francisco movement began to gain momentum in the 60s, Eric embraced this new culture and played a major part in its promotion. He toured with Jimi Hendrix and applauded the message of Peace and Love during those turbulent times. Always looking to expand his music portfolio, Burdon fronted the band, War for their first album, bringing them international attention. It's no wonder that on this pleasant Sunday evening the crowd packed the the front of the stage to see this icon of Rock and Roll.

To the heavy blues rhythm of I'M A MAN," Eric Burdon and the Animals began their performance. Dressed in Hawaiian shirt and shorts, Eric appeared onstage. If Eric had walked through the crowd before his set, I doubt that many would have recognized him. He appeared less like the self-described "long haired, noble faired, leaping gnome" and more like any of the dads and grandads who brought their families here today. But the familiar glint was still in his eye, as was the mischievous smile. When he began to sing there was no doubt that this was Eric Burdon. He was in full voice as the band continued with the classic PLEASE DON'T LET ME BE MISUNDERSTOOD, performed with a Reggae tempo. He introduced the song: WHEN I WAS YOUNG by saying, "I was such a twisted little punk."

I have to confess that I was disappointed when I found out that the members of the Animals had changed since I"d last seen Eric perform five years ago. That was a really great band that I didn't expect to be matched here today. I was sorely mistaken, for this was one hard working, polished band that played as only a great Brittish rock band can--with confidence and poise and an energy that was just amazing. With Dean Restum on guitar, Bernie Pershey on drums, Dave Mreos on bass and the incredible Martin Gerschwitz on keyboards and violin, they blazed through the imortal hits of the Animals. Songs like DON'T BRING ME DOWN, WE GOTTA GET OUT OF THIS PLACE and IT'S MY LIFE were brought back to life--both onstage and in the faces of the many fans who crowded the stage. The years seemed to fall away and I'm sure that I wasn't the only one to relive the days of AM radio, cars made in Detroit and British Rock and Roll. Like all great British rockers, Eric Burdon gave his props to his mentors with the aforementioned I'M A MAN, John Lee Hooker's BOOM BOOM, and Buddy Holly's NOT FADE AWAY.

But all good things must come to an end and I'm sure there is no need to tell the name of the last song of the evening. It was surprising that THE HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN, moving as it was, was eclipsed by the preceding song: SKY PILOT. There, from my vantage point at the side of the stage, I saw the faces of my generation, holding their young ones in one arm while raising the other with the symbal for Peace. That, my friends, is a moment that this writer will not soon forget. While Gerschwitz astounded the audience by playing the keyboard and violin simultaneously, I thought of all the events that had transpired in the last four decades. I thought of the wonderful music and the great times we had; but I also remembered the sit-ins, the protest marches to promote human equality and stop a war. I thought of the thousands who's legacy is carved on a black wall. I thought of another wall that was knocked down in triumph and I thought of twin skyscrapers that were reduced to rubble. I think that if it were not for the men like Eric Burdon and their music, it would be hard for this writer to keep these events in perspective. This is one great man with a great band. If you have the opportunity to see them, I highly recomend it. There are a number of websites dedicated to Eric Burdon and the Animals. One of them is: http://www.ericburdon.com.

Pat Benny