Hilton Valentine (1943–2021) was a British guitarist best known as the founding member and original guitarist of The Animals, one of the pivotal bands of the 1960s British Invasion. Renowned for his distinctive opening riff on the band’s hit “The House of the Rising Sun,” Valentine’s raw, blues-infused style helped define the group’s sound and left an indelible mark on rock music. After The Animals, he pursued solo projects and continued performing, celebrated for his enduring influence and authenticity as a pioneering rock guitarist.