Eric Burdon and Alan Price primarily fell out over a dispute concerning songwriting credits and the resulting royalty payments for hit songs. This issue stemmed from the way arrangements were credited on their records, leading to significant financial disparity between band members.
The Genesis of the Conflict: Royalty Distribution
A core reason for the friction between Eric Burdon and Alan Price revolved around the credit given for arrangements on the band's recordings, particularly for their major hits. According to Eric Burdon, the initial decision to credit only Alan Price for arrangements was a practical one. There was insufficient space on the record labels to list all five band members, and Alan Price's first name happened to be alphabetically first.
However, this seemingly innocuous administrative detail had profound financial consequences. Because Alan Price was the only one credited for these arrangements, he alone received the songwriter's royalties for the hit songs. This fact became a significant point of contention, contributing heavily to the eventual falling out between the two musicians and within the band itself. The inequitable distribution of earnings, stemming from this initial credit assignment, created deep-seated resentment and professional disagreement.
Key Elements of the Dispute
The conflict can be broken down into several interconnected factors:
- Credit Assignment: Alan Price was given sole credit for arrangements on The Animals' records.
- Limited Space & Alphabetical Order: Eric Burdon indicated this decision was made due to practical constraints on record labels, where space was limited, and Price's name appeared first alphabetically.
- Financial Disparity: The crucial outcome of this credit arrangement was that only Alan Price benefited financially from the songwriter's royalties generated by their successful recordings. This left other band members, including Burdon, without a share of these significant earnings for songs they contributed to.
The Broader Impact on The Animals
This specific issue of royalty distribution played a considerable role in the internal strife that plagued The Animals. Such financial disputes are not uncommon in the music industry, but in this instance, it created a rift between two key members. The long-term implications of this disagreement contributed to the eventual lineup changes and the band's initial dissolution. Understanding this core conflict provides insight into the challenges faced by bands in managing creative contributions and financial compensation.
Summary of the Fallout
| Aspect of Fallout | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Primary Cause | Disagreement over songwriting credits and the resulting royalty payments for hit songs. |
| Credit Allocation | Alan Price was solely credited for arrangements on record labels. |
| Reason for Credit | Attributed by Burdon to limited space on labels and Alan Price's alphabetical name order. |
| Financial Impact | Only Alan Price received songwriter's royalties for major hits, leading to financial inequity. |
| Consequence | Led to significant tension and was a major factor in the professional and personal estrangement between Burdon and Price. |
