THERE are no planes in the sky and it suits Alan Price down to the ground.

As he travelled the world performing his 60s hits he was gripped with the constant fear of flying.

He had to have a shot of vodka before he could even step on a plane.

“I once did a tour of 70 cities so that meant 70 vodkas!” said Alan, whose keyboard wizardry turned the Animals into a household name.

Combining electric blues with rock, they 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 helped introduce the world to British music and fashion.

And Alan has revealed to the Daily Echo how his plane phobia grounded plans for a reunion with former Animals’ lead singer Eric Burdon.

It was about five years ago that Burdon invited Alan to New Orleans to take part in a benefit following the floods which devastated the southern American state.

The rock legends would have got together for a nostalgic rendition of The House of the Rising Sun (it’s about a house of ill repute in New Orleans, and was a number one hit around the world – but then, you knew that). But Alan said: “I couldn’t go because I just hate flying.”

This fear is said to be one of the major reasons Alan broke away from the Animals in 1965.

As well as The House of the Rising Sun, Price enjoyed a string of hits with the Animals which included I’m Crying, Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood and Bring it on Home to Me.

Rock historians have also blamed the split on alleged tensions between Price and Burdon.

Refuting the claims, Alan said: “There was never any strain between us. It was just something that was played up in the press.”

The last major Animals reunion was in the mid-80s. Alan said:: “I can’t see it happening again. We’re all doing our individual things now.”

Amiable Alan was about to hit the golf course when he took time to talk to me about tomorrow’s appearance at the Tivoli, Wimborne.

Ironically on the day of our interview a little problem with a volcano in Iceland had grounded the world’s aviation fleet.

He said: “I was probably ahead of my time when over 30 years ago I said that I didn’t like flying!”

But the father of two, who has just celebrated his 68th birthday, has no plans to retire from a star-studded career which spans five decades.

It has been boosted by the news that he has been included on the bill for this year’s Glastonbury festival.

He said: “My main ambition was to go on as long as possible and I’m still going. The work is still coming in and I’m booked right through to next spring.”

Alan, who won a Bafta for writing the score for 1973’s O Lucky Man, is still busy working on new material.

He plays about 100 concerts a year and he also has a regular spot at his local pub in Barnes, south London, The Bull’s Head, where he plays to packed houses and has become a magnet for some of the world’s greatest jazz artists.

Alan says: “We get them queuing in the street and they come from all over the world including Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Germany, Canada and the United States. It’s great fun.”

Later in the 60s, the Alan Price Set was riding high with smash hits like I Put a Spell on You, Simon Smith and His Amazing Dancing Bear, Hi, Lili, Hi Lo, The House that Jack Built, and Don’t Stop the Carnival.

And the former Animals keyboard player never tires of playing them and says: “It brings back good memories for people and provides the scaffolding for the show.”

He has the backing of some very talented musicians including keyboard maestro, Zoot Money, who hails from Bournemouth, and ace guitarist Bobby Tench, famed for his work with Humble Pie and Jeff Beck.

Alan’s current tour, which takes him to the Netherlands and across Britain, also includes Glastonbury festival.

Appearing on the Acoustic Stage on Friday June 25, Alan will be making his debut at the world famous musical gathering which is celebrating its 40th anniversary and being headlined by Stevie Wonder and U2.

Alan said: “It was back in October that I was invited to do Glastonbury and I was thrilled to bits. It is like getting knighted.”

Most of his musical ambitions have been fulfilled but he added: “I’d like to take my band to America... but I’d go by boat and bus!”

Alan Price plays the Tivoli, Wimborne, tomorrow.