The Zombies
Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone make a much-welcome return to American shores this spring, with the show that for the past two years has thrilled audiences and garnered critical praise on both sides of the Atlantic. And in 2004, the joint profile of these two stalwarts of classy English pop has not been higher, thanks to a hot band, some superlative new material, and several imminent new projects, including a new studio album and a live DVD. And most significantly, Argent and Blunstone’s current stage repertoire also draws heavily upon the much-cherished catalogue of their former outfit, The Zombies.
In their day, the Zombies were one of the few English bands of the 1960s that enjoyed true global popularity, with two American number ones, chart records throughout the rest of the world, and a deep and lasting affection for their music. For instance, in early 1967, at a time when their career had almost ground to a halt in the UK, the band played to crowds of over 30,000 in the Philippines. And ironically, right after the band split their final single “Time Of The Season” quickly became their biggest record – US radio plays for the latter song recently passed the four million mark. The Zombies’ first two American singles, “She’s Not There” and “Tell Her No”, also remain two of the most-heavily spun vintage hits on American oldies radio.
But beyond the statistics, the Zombies had several remarkable attributes that set them apart from other artists. The sheer consistent quality of Rod Argent and Chris White’s songwriting is rivaled only by Lennon and McCartney. Building upon the standard R&B and rock’n’roll influences, the Zombies introduced class and sophistication into a genre not noted for either, and in the most natural, unselfconscious way possible. And the songs were lent an extra dimension by the voice of Colin Blunstone, widely acknowledged as one of the finest singers Britain has ever produced. Rod Argent’s keyboard work is regarded as some of the most accomplished and inventive in rock. The Zombies’ canon belongs on the same shelf as the other major players of the mid-1960s such as the Kinks, Yardbirds and Animals; from their debut “She’s Not There” onwards, there was never at any point a drop in quality. The Zombies’ records are some of the best produced and distinctive in all pop music.
More importantly, the popularity of the Zombies’ music, in keeping with their name, shows no sign of dying. Their unsurpassed oeuvre continues to influence musicians around the world, whether they be original fans the stature of Tom Petty or Pat Metheney, or relative youngsters like REM, Beck, Pavement and Paul Weller. And contemporary cutting edge UK acts such as Badly Drawn Boy and Super Furry Animals are just the latest in a long line of musicians to play homage to the Zombies, for thanks to high profile reissues like the definitive 1997 box set Zombie Heaven, each new pop generation has been able to discover for themselves the undiluted magic of the bands catalogue.
In recent years, when the Zombies have been feted by pop’s hip aristocracy, it has been largely for their swansong, Odessey & Oracle, from which “Time Of The Season” was taken. It was their second and final album, recorded in 1967 before they went their separate ways, and remains perhaps their greatest artistic statement. Odessey presents an evocation of memory that maybe has yet to be surpassed in pop music, with a peculiarly English yet universal slant on dreams, childhood and the attendant loss of innocence that derives from the passing of both. And it is a record today as celebrated and influential as the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds or Love’s Forever Changes, ranked #80 in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, and also recently charting high on similar lists in Mojo and the Los Angeles Times.
Upon the demise of the Zombies, Rod Argent went on to form the eponymously-named band Argent, who had further success in the United States during the 1970s with the anthemic hits “Hold Your Head Up” and “God Gave Rock & Roll To You”. He has since had a varied and successful career in the field of record production, as well as frequently scoring for television and stage. Colin Blunstone meanwhile has remained a familiar chart presence in the UK and Europe through hits like “I Don’t Believe In Miracles” and “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted”, while his back catalogue, studded with gems like the album One Year, boasts a solid cult following amongst musicians and fans ‘in the know’ (in addition to Zombies’ material, Rod and Colin feature excerpts from both of their solo careers in the current show).
In 1998, these two exceptional musicians decided to join forces again after thirty years, cognizant that their musical partnership is far more than the sum of the parts. They also have the added benefit of a splendid, entirely complementary band, comprising former Argent bassist Jim Rodford, his son Steve Rodford on drums, and session guitarist Keith Airey. In 2001 Blunstone and Argent released the first recorded fruits of their collaboration in the album Out Of The Shadows; they are currently putting the final touches on a brand new long-player, several songs from which having been previewed to rapturous acclaim on their recent US tour. Additionally, a live DVD is being readied, capturing a special performance held earlier last year at London’s Bloomsbury Theatre, in which Colin is also showcased performing with a string quartet.
In the past, Argent has resisted using the Zombies’ name, in respect to the bands legacy. However, commenting on the forthcoming album, Rod reveals that the spectre of the Zombies is a natural result of his and Colin’s renewed partnership:
“Colin and I realised that there were many resonances of our first band on the record, [which was] unexpected because they weren't achieved consciously. Firstly, every song on it has come into being with Colin's voice as a presence somewhere in the back of my head - just as it was in the 1960s. Secondly, our band has remained the same now for the last two years and there has developed quite naturally much more of a ‘group’ sound than on the previous record.”
Therefore this forthcoming tour will celebrate the old and the new – two seasoned pop veterans, backed by an exemplary band, with a show that not only pays open tribute to the much cherished highlights of their unequalled musical legacy, but also continues the tradition with new music cut from the same cloth: a treat for pop fans any way you slice it.
