Noel Redding (b. Folkestone UK, 1946) started playing professionally in 1962, at age sixteen, in groups such as the Lonely Ones and the Loving Kind. In these groups Noel was the rhythm guitarist. In September 1966, Redding showed up at  the Birdland Club in London to audition for the new Animals line-up being put together. Chas Chandler, there helping Eric Burdon with the auditions, noticed that Redding had the same afro hairstyle as Jimi, and approached him. Chandler told Redding  that the guitarist spot in the Animals had been filled, but that "this guy from America [was] looking for a bass player."1 Redding resisted playing the bass, but since he was penniless, agreed to try. 
1. Electric Gypsy, Glebbeek. p. 115