GTO is an abbreviation of:

A gate turn-off thyristor

Geographic targeting order, an order issued by the United States Secretary of Treasury

Geostationary transfer orbit, an intermediate orbit around the Earth

The station code of Gorton railway station in Greater Manchester, England

''Grand Touring Over'', the International Motor Sports Association category for production cars over 2500 cc (later revised to 3000 cc)

''Gran Turismo Omologato'' (Italian for 'Grand Touring Homologated' or 'Great Accredited Tourism'), a model name used on several grand tourer automobiles:

* Ferrari 250 GTO

* Ferrari 288 GTO

* Ferrari 599 GTO

* Pontiac GTO

* Mitsubishi Galant GTO

* Mitsubishi GTO

''Great Teacher Onizuka'', the manga, anime, live-action, and movie

Guanajuato, Mexico's state abbreviation

''Ready for Labour and Defence of the USSR'', the Soviet physical culture training programme

Ronny & the Daytonas's debut song

The GTOs (Girls Together Outrageously), a late 1960s "band" closely associated with Frank Zappa and featuring Pamela Des Barres

Greater Than One, a pop/gabber husband and wife band formed in 1985

"G.T.O.", a 1987 single by Sinitta

GTO - a mythical program or campaign launched by Microsoft, the name derived as the preceding letter prior to HUP (see HAL vs. IBM in 2001: A Space Odyssey (film))

Golgi tendon organ, a proprioceptive sensory receptor organ

Gaussian-type orbital, compare also Slater-type orbital (STO)

GTO Records, a UK record label

GTO (band), an Australian band

cs:GTO da:GTO de:GTO fa:GTO fr:GTO ko:GTO it:GTO nl:GTO ja:GTO ru:GTO fi:GTO sv:GTO th:GTO zh:GTO

Coordinates	52°58′″N36°04′″N
name	Eric Burdon
landscape	Yes
background	solo_singer
birth name	Eric Victor Burdon
born	May 11, 1941Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne, England
girlfriend	Marianna Proestou
genre	Blues rock, psychedelic rock, rock and roll, heavy metal, hard rock, funk rock, rhythm and blues, jazz fusion
type of singing	Death growling, Baritone
occupation	Musician, songwriter, actor, painter
years active	1960–present
label	SPV, Polydor, Universal, Sony BMG, MGM, One Way, Repertoire Records, Avenue, Rhino, Line, Teldec, Flying Eye, Sanctuary, Columbia, EMI, Decca
associated acts	The Animals, War
website	EricBurdon.com
current members	* Eric Burdon - vocals, percussion Red Young - keyboards, piano, electric piano, hammond b-3 Brannen Temple - drums Billy Watts - guitar Terry Wilson - bass
past members	70s: Bob Morcereau, George Suranovich, John Sterling, Terry Ryan, Kim Kesterson, John Ussery, Aalon Butler, Alvin Taylor, Randy Rice, Snuffy Walden, Greg Brown, John "Rabbit" Bundrick, Robert Ahwai, Mike Carr, Bobby Gien, Dave Dover, Kenny Parry, Terry McCurker, Brian Paris, Leslie Binks, Zoot Money, Hilton Valentine, John Steel, Alexis Korner, Maggie Bell, Jeff Whitehorn, P.P. Arnold, Vicki Brown, Frank Diez, Hans-Jürgen Fritz, Colin Pincott, Steffi Stephan, Bobby Tench, Derek Austin, Lyle Harp, Glenn Peniston, Brian Robertson, Henry McCullough, Chris Stewart, Mick Weaver, Mel Collins, Bernt Schultz, Nippy Noya, Rosa King, Ingeburg Thomsen, Thomas Kretschner, Paul Vincent, Jean-Jaques Kravetz, Bertram Engel and Cepard Cloning. 80s: Jackie Carter, Bernd Gärtig, Reggie Worthy, Nippy Noya, Paul Millns, Louisiana Red, Terry Stannard, Nigel Smith, Snuffy Walden, Ronnie Barron, Bobby Martin, Tony Braunagle, Billy McCubbon, Howard Messer, John Sterling, Pat Couchois, Chris Couchois, Terry Wilson, Rosa King, Red Young, Skip Van Winkle, Don Evans, Dennis Edwards, Zoot Money, Pat Crumly, Robbie Burns, Brian Godding, Mitch Harwood, Steve Grant, Tom Blades, Mal Logan, Jamie Moses, Jamie Glazer, Steve Stroud, Adrian Shepard, Peter Michael, Jimmy Zavala, Brad Silwood, Greg Smith, Andy Giddings, Randy Kerber, John Liotine, Chuck Findley, Nick Lane, Mal Eastwick, Paul Christie and Warren McLean. 90s: Don Kirkpatrick, Paul Crowder, Jimmy Zavala, Robby Krieger, John Sterling, Dave Meros, Jeff Naideau, Brian Auger, Larry Wilkins, Kharma Auger, Richard Reguria, Dean Restum, Mark Craney, Aynsley Dunbar, Neal Morse, Ryo Okumoto and Martin Gerschwitz. 00s: Martin Gerschwitz, Dean Restum, Dave Meros, Aynsley Dunbar, Bernie Pershey, Eric McFadden, Red Young, Paula O'Rourke, Wally Ingram, Tony Braunagle, Hilton Valentine, Billy Watts, Geoffrey Townsend, Steve Conte, Herman Matthews, Bobby Furgo, Steve Murphy, Ed Friedland, Rick Hirsh, Jack Bryant and Georgia Dagaki, Jim Cristie. }}

Eric Victor Burdon (born 11 May 1941) is an English singer-songwriter best known as a founding member and vocalist of rock band The Animals, and the funk rock band War and for his aggressive stage performance. He was ranked 57th in ''Rolling Stone'''s list - ''The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time''.

Career

The Animals

Burdon was lead singer of The Animals, formed during 1962 in Newcastle, England. The original band was the Alan Price Combo which formed in 1958. They became the Animals shortly after Burdon joined the band. They combined electric blues with rock and in the USA were one of the leading bands of the British Invasion. Along with The Beatles, The Who, The Rolling Stones, The Dave Clark Five, and The Kinks, the group introduced British music and fashion. Burdon's powerful voice can be heard in The Animals singles "The House of the Rising Sun", "Sky Pilot", "Monterey", "I'm Crying", "Boom Boom", "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", "Bring It On Home to Me", "Baby Let Me Take You Home", "It's My Life", "We Gotta Get out of This Place", "Don't Bring Me Down", and "See See Rider".

By late 1966 the other original members, including keyboardist Alan Price, had left. Burdon and drummer Barry Jenkins reformed the group as ''Eric Burdon and The Animals''. This more psychedelic incarnation featured future Family member John Weider and was sometimes called ''Eric Burdon and the New Animals''. Keyboardist Zoot Money joined during 1968 until they split up in 1969. This group's hits included the ballad "San Franciscan Nights", the grunge–heavy metal-pioneering "When I Was Young", "Monterey", the anti-Vietnam anthem "Sky Pilot" and the progressive cover of "Ring of Fire".

In 1975 the original Animals reunited and recorded an album called ''Before We Were So Rudely Interrupted'', released in 1977 and overlooked due to the dawning of punk. In May 1983 The Animals reunited with their original lineup and the album ''Ark'' was released on 16 June 1983, along with the singles "The Night" and "Love Is For All Time". A world tour followed and the concert at Wembley Arena, London, recorded on 31 December 1983 was released in 1984 as ''Rip It To Shreds''. Their concert at the Royal Oak Theatre in April 1984 was released in 2008 entitled ''Last Live Show''; the band members were augmented by Zoot Money, Nippy Noya, Steve Gregory and Steve Grant. The original Animals broke up for the last time at the end of 1984.

Although the band Burdon formed in the late '60s was sometimes called ''Eric Burdon and The New Animals,'' it wasn't until 1998 that the name ''Eric Burdon and The New Animals'' was officially adopted. The 1998 band had bassist Dave Meros, guitarist Dean Restum , drummer Aynsley Dunbar and keyboard guitarist Neal Morse. They recorded ''Live At The Coach House'' on 17 October 1998, released on video and DVD in December that year. In 1999 they released ''The Official Live Bootleg #2'' and in August 2000 ''The Official Live Bootleg 2000'', with Martin Gerschwitz on keyboards.

In June 2003, he formed another ''Eric Burdon and The Animals'', with keyboardist Martin Gerschwitz, bassist Dave Meros, guitarist Dean Restum, and drummer Bernie Pershey. They disbanded in 2005. During 2008 Burdon toured again as ''Eric Burdon and The Animals'' with a variable lineup of backing musicians.

On 13 December 2008, Burdon lost a three-year legal battle to win the name "The Animals" in the UK. Drummer John Steel now owns the rights in the UK only. Burdon still tours as Eric Burdon and the Animals, but is prevented from using the name "The Animals" in England while the case is under appeal. Steel was a member in its heyday and left before the band split in 1966. Steel later played in various reunion versions of the band with Burdon.

War

During 1969, while living in San Francisco, Burdon joined forces with Californian funk rock band War. The resulting album was entitled ''Eric Burdon Declares "War"'' which produced the singles "Spill the Wine" and "Tobacco Road". A two-disc set entitled ''The Black-Man's Burdon'', was released later in September 1970. The singles from the double album, "Paint It, Black" and "They Can't Take Away Our Music", had moderate success during 1971. During this time Burdon collapsed on the stage during a concert, caused by an asthma attack, and War continued the tour without him.

In 1976 a compilation album, ''Love Is All Around'', was released by ABC Records which had recordings of Eric Burdon with War and a live version of "Paint it Black" and a jam session called "A Day In The Life".

Eric Burdon and War were reunited for the first time in 37 years, to perform a concert at the Royal Albert Hall London on 21 April 2008. The concert coincided with a major reissue campaign by Rhino Records (UK), who released all the War albums including ''Eric Burdon Declares "War"'' and ''The Black-Man's Burdon''.

Solo career

Burdon began a solo career in 1971 with The Eric Burdon Band, continuing with a hard rock–heavy metal–funk style. In August 1971 he recorded the album ''Guilty!'' which featured the blues shouter Jimmy Witherspoon, and also Ike White of the San Quentin Prison Band. In 1973 the band performed at the Reading Festival and in 1974 they travelled to New York. At the end of 1974 the band released the album ''Sun Secrets'' and this was followed by the album ''Stop'' in 1975. Burdon moved to Germany in 1977 and recorded the album ''Survivor'' with a lineup including guitarist Alexis Korner and keyboardist Zoot Money; the album also had a line-up of four guitarists and three keyboard players and is known for its interesting album cover, which depicts Burdon screaming.

In May 1978 he recorded the album ''Darkness Darkness'' at the Roundwood House in County Laois, Ireland, using Ronnie Lane's Mobile Studio and featuring guitarist and vocalist Bobby Tench from The Jeff Beck Group, who had left Streetwalkers a few months before. The album was eventually released in 1980. During January 1979 Burdon changed his band for a tour taking in Hamburg, Germany and the Netherlands.

On 28 August 1982 "The Eric Burdon Band" including Red Young (keyboards) performed at the Rockpalast Open Air Concert in Lorelei, Germany. Following this Burdon toured heavily with his solo project from March 1984 to March 1985, taking in UK, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Canada and Australia. In 1986 Burdon published his autobiography entitled ''I Used To Be An Animal, But I'm Alright Now''.

In March 1979 he played a concert in Cologne and changed the band's name to "Eric Burdon's Fire Department", whose lineup included backing vocalist Jackie Carter of Silver Convention, Bertram Engel of Udo Lindenberg's "Panik Orchester" and Jean-Jaques Kravetz. In mid 1980 they recorded the album ''The Last Drive''. "Eric Burdon's Fire Department" toured Europe with this lineup and Paul Millins and Louisiana Red made special appearances in Spain and Italy. By December 1980 the band had broken up.

In April 1981, Christine Buschmann began to film ''Comeback'' with Burdon as the star. They created a new "Eric Burdon Band" whose lineup included Louisiana Red, Tony Braunagle, John Sterling and Snuffy Walden. This band recorded live tracks in Los Angeles. They also recorded in Berlin with another lineup, the only remaining member being John Sterling. In September 1981 the final scenes of ''Comeback'' were shot in the Berlin Metropole and Burdon and his band continued to tour through Australia and North America. A studio album titled ''Comeback'' was released in 1982. The 1983 album ''Power Company'' also included songs recorded during the ''Comeback'' project.

In 1988 he put together a band with 15 musicians including Andrew Giddings - keyboards, Steve Stroud - bass, Adrian Sheppard - drums, Jamie Moses - guitar and four backing vocalists to record the album ''I Used To Be An Animal'' in Malibu, in the United States. In 1990 Eric Burdon's cover version of "Sixteen Tons" was used for the film ''Joe Versus the Volcano''. The song, which played at the beginning of the film, was also released as a single. He also recorded the singles "We Gotta Get out of this Place" with Katrina & The Waves and "No Man's Land" with Tony Carey and Anne Haigis. Later in 1990 he had a small lineup of an ''Eric Burdon Band'' featuring Jimmy Zavala (sax and harmonica), Dave Meros(bass), Jeff Naideau (keyboards), Thom Mooney (drums) and John Sterling (guitar) before he began a tour with The Doors guitarist Robbie Krieger and they appeared at a concert from Ventura Beach, California, which was released as a DVD on 20 June 2008.

On 13 April 2004 he released a "comeback" album, ''My Secret Life'', which was his first album with new recordings for 16 years. When John Lee Hooker died in 2001, Burdon had written the song "Can't Kill the Boogieman" the co-writers of the songs, on the album, were Tony Braunagel and Marcelo Nova. In 2005 they released a live album, ''Athens Traffic Live'', with special DVD bonus material and a bonus studio track and disbanded in November 2005. He began a short touring as "The Blues Knights".

On 27 January 2006 he released his blues–R&B; album ''Soul of a Man''. This album was dedicated to Ray Charles and John Lee Hooker. The cover of the album was a picture, which was sent to Burdon a few years before. Burdon then formed a new band, with the following members: Red Young (keyboards), Paula O'Rourke (bass), Eric McFadden (guitar) and Wally Ingram (drums). They also performed at the Lugano Festival and in 2007 he toured as the headlining act of the "Hippiefest" lineup, produced and hosted by Country Joe McDonald.

Other associations

In 1991, Burdon and Brian Auger formed the "Eric Burdon – Brian Auger Band" with the following lineup: Eric Burdon – vocals, Brian Auger – keyboards, vocals, Dave Meros – bass, vocals, Don Kirkpatrick – guitar, vocals, and Paul Crowder – drums, vocals. By 1992, Larry Wilkins replaced Kirkpatrick and Karma Auger (Brian's son) replaced Crowder and in 1993 they added Richard Reguria (percussion). The live album ''Access All Areas'' was then released. In 1994 the "Eric Burdon – Brian Auger Band" disbanded. Burdon then formed the "Eric Burdon's i Band". The lineup included Larry Wilkins, Dean Restum (guitar), Dave Meros (bass) and Mark Craney (drums).

In 1995, Burdon made a guest appearance with Bon Jovi, singing "It's My Life"/"We Gotta Get out of This Place" medley at the Hall of Fame. He also released the album ''Lost Within The Halls Of Fame'', with past tracks and re-recordings of some songs from ''I Used To Be An Animal''. In October 1996, Aynsley Dunbar replaced Craney on drums. ''The Official Live Bootleg'' was recorded in 1997 and in May that year Larry Wilkins died of cancer. He also released the compilations ''Soldier Of Fortune'' and ''I'm Ready'' which featured recordings from the 1970s and 1980s.

In 2000 he recorded the song "Power to the People" together with Ringo Starr and Billy Preston for the motion picture ''Steal This Movie!''. On 11 May 2001, The Animals were inducted into the Rock Walk Of Fame on Burdon's 60th birthday. On 3 March 2002, the live album ''Live in Seattle'' was recorded. Ex-War member Lee Oskar made a guest appearance on the album. In 2003 he made a guest appearance on the album ''Joyous in the City of Fools'' by the Greek rock band Pyx Lax, singing lead vocal on "Someone Wrote 'Save me' On a Wall".

In 2001, his second critically acclaimed memoir, "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," written with author/filmmaker J. Marshall Craig, was released in the U.S., followed by editions in Greece, Germany and Australia.

On 7 June 2008 Burdon performed at the memorial service of Bo Diddley in Gainesville, Florida. During July and August 2008, Burdon appeared as the headline act of the "Hippiefest". He also recorded the single "For What It's Worth" with Carl Carlton and Max Buskohl.

On 12 November 2008 ''Rolling Stone'' ranked Eric Burdon #57 on the list of the 100 Greatest Singers of all Time. On 22 January 2009 he first performed with his new band, including keyboardist Red Young, guitarist Rick Hirsch, bass player Jack Bryant and drummer Ed Friedland. For a few months he was sick and did not perform except in the United States. On 26 June, he began his European tour. The band includes Red Young (keyboards), Billy Watts (guitar), Terry Wilson (bass), Brannen Temple (drums) and Georgia Dagaki (cretan lyra). On 7 August the tour ended.

Influence

The sound of The Animals influenced many Britpop, alternative rock and power pop groups, and his voice has been highly respected by many people such as Jim Morrison, Robert Plant, Tom Petty, David Johansen, Joe Cocker and Dan Zanes.

Iggy Pop and Bruce Springsteen voted for Burdon in the poll of ''Rolling Stone'''s list of the Top One Hundred best singers.

Brian Jones called him "The best blues singer to ever come out of England."

Alan Price has called him "The best singer in a white band."

Film career

Burdon wanted to act in the movie ''Blowup'' (1966). Director Michelangelo Antonioni wanted to use him as a musician in a club scene. Burdon turned the role down, because he had acted in movies before, where he sang songs. He disbanded The Animals and went to California where he met Jim Morrison and came to the realisation that his real inspiration was acting.

Later, he turned down major roles in ''Zabriskie Point'' and ''Performance'' (both 1970).

In 1973 he formed The Eric Burdon Band and recorded the soundtrack for his own film project, ''Mirage''. He spent much money to make this film, produced as a motion picture for Atlantic. The film and the soundtrack were to be released in July 1974, but somehow they never were. The soundtrack was released in 2008.

In 1979 he acted in the TV movie ''The 11th Victim''. Then in the German motion picture ''Gibbi - Westgermany'' (1980). In 1982 he starred in another German motion picture, ''Comeback'', again as a singer.

In 1991 he had a cameo appearance in ''The Doors''.

In 1998 he acted as himself in the Greek movie ''My Brother and I'', followed by a bigger role in the German motion picture ''Snow on New Year's Eve'' (1999).

In the following years he was credited in many documentaries and in an independent movie called ''Fabulous Shiksa in Distress'' (2003), along with Ned Romero and Ted Markland.

In 2007 he performed the traditional "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child" in the drama festival film ''The Blue Hour'' and in a documentary about , where Burdon lives, called ''Nowhere Now'' (2008).

Discography

Filmography

1964: ''Get Yourself a College Girl''

1964: ''Whole Lotta Shakin'''

1965: ''Pop Gear''

1965: ''The Dangerous Christmas of Red Riding Hood''

1967: ''World Of The Animals''

1967: ''The War'' (short)

1967: ''It's a Bikini World''

1967: ''Tonite Let's Make All Love in London''

1968: ''All My Loving''

1968: ''Monterey Pop''

1973: ''Mirage'' (never filmed)

1979: ''11th Victim''

1980: ''Gibbi'' (West German)

1982: ''Comeback''

1991: ''The Doors''

1999: ''Snow on New Year's Eve''

2001: ''Plaster Caster''

2001: ''Screamin' Jay Hawkins: I Put a Spell on Me''

2003: ''Fabulous Shiksa In Distress''

2003: ''Yes, You Can Go Home''

2007: ''The Blue Hour''

2008: ''Nowhere Now: The Ballad of Joshua Tree''

2010: ''Remembering Nigel''

Festivals

1965: The Richmond Jazz Festival

1967: The Windsor Jazz Festival of the Flower Power Children

1967: Monterey Pop Festival

1968: Newport Pop Festival '68

1969: Newport Pop Festival '69

1994: Sziget

2000: Moondance Jam

2004: Arrow Rock Festival

2005: San Sebastian Jazz Festival

2006: Lugano Jazz Festival

2008: Hippiefest

2009: Maryport Blues Festival

2010: Montreal Jazz Festival

2010: Ribfest

2010: Satsop River Rock

2010: Legenda Rocka

Notes

Further reading

Burdon, Eric. ''I Used to Be an Animal, but I'm All Right Now''. Faber and Faber, 1986. ISBN 0-571-13492-0.

Burdon, Eric (with J. Marshall Craig). ''Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood: A Memoir''. Thunder's Mouth Press, 2001. ISBN 1-56025-330-4.

External links

Eric Burdon website

Eric Burdon Eric Burdon Interview from 2009

Category:1941 births Category:The Animals members Category:English baritones Category:Blue-eyed soul singers Category:English blues singers Category:English heavy metal singers Category:English male singers Category:English rhythm and blues singers Category:English rock singers Category:English soul singers Category:English singer-songwriters Category:Living people Category:People from Newcastle upon Tyne Category:Rhythm and blues singers Category:Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Category:The Party Boys members Category:War (band) members

af:Eric Burdon az:Erik Byördon bar:Eric Burdon cs:Eric Burdon de:Eric Burdon et:Eric Burdon es:Eric Burdon fr:Eric Burdon fy:Eric Burdon gl:Eric Burdon it:Eric Burdon lv:Ēriks Bardons hu:Eric Burdon nl:Eric Burdon no:Eric Burdon nn:Eric Burdon pl:Eric Burdon pt:Eric Burdon ru:Бёрдон, Эрик simple:Eric Burdon fi:Eric Burdon sv:Eric Burdon tr:Eric Burdon uk:Ерік Бердон