The Zombies
By Heidi Lee
(SugarBuzz Michigan)
SugarBuzz Magazine
“What’s your name? (What’s your name?)
Who’s your daddy? (Who’s your daddy?)
Is he rich?
Is he rich like me?”
I don’t think you’ll run across too many people who don’t at least know that particular part of The Zombies’ 1969 hit, “Time of the Season”. As years have gone by, it’s become somewhat of a hippie anthem, accompanying countless reminiscent television shows and movies when they feature anything having to do with the late 1960’s. What people might not know is that when “Time of the Season” became The Zombies’ biggest smash, they were already defunct as a group.
It all started with a band competition in Brittan, sponsored by Decca records, which smelled a hit with Rod Argent’s soon to be well-known tune, “She’s Not There”. It’s not too often when a group starts out with such an amazingly sophisticated hit as their first single, but The Zombies were not your typical English band. Yes, they were a part of the British Invasion, but they developed a unique style about them that proved them more popular in the United States than their homeland.
The Zombies’ songs mix a surreal and daydream-y feel with the contemporary pop/rock sounds of the time, along with a bit of jazz, brought to you in part by keyboardist Rod Argent’s signature playing style. Co-leading the group was the soft, yet pressingly sensual voice of lead singer Colin Blunstone, a unique voice that added to the group’s smooth sound. Rounding out the band was guitarist Paul Atkinson, drummer Hugh Grundy, and bassist Chris White.
After “She’s Not There” took off, The Zombies were quick to try to find a suitable follow-up, but it wasn’t until their third single, “Tell Her No”, that the group had similar success. They were welcomed in America for their tour that followed, but back in the UK, they didn’t receive the greatest amount of support from Decca.
In 1967, The Zombies made their masterpiece, the album The Odessey and the Oracle in the famous Abby Road Studios. Things seemed to be looking up for the group, who hadn’t had a hit single in a couple of years, until their new record company, CBS, became slow and unwilling to release the album. Due to the lack of interest on both the group and the record company, the band split apart. When The Odessy and the Oracle finally came out in 1968, nearly every single that was released commercially flopped, until late ’68 when “Time of the Season” began to climb the charts.
Of course, there being money to be made from a hit, The Zombies were rushed with many offers to re-group and tour, but with the members having moved on since, this never occurred. However, due to the popularity of “Time of the Season”, there are quite a few reports of Zombies imposters who played across the country, passing themselves off as the British group.
So, that was the end of the road, it seemed, for The Zombies, however, many of the members went on to have a bit of success in their respective fields. Vocalist Colin Blunstone went on to have a successful solo career in England. Chris White continued to write with Rod Argent a bit, but did not become as popular as Argent became with his self-titled group that is probably best known for the hard-not-to-get-stuck-in-your-head hit, “Hold Your Head Up” in 1972. On a sadder note, guitarist Paul Atkinson passed away in 2004, after a successful career as an A&R man who was responsible for signing acts such as Abba and Judas Priest.
In 2001, Argent and Blunstone reunited for an album and tour. Even in 2006 the two are still touring, showing that audiences everywhere are still interested in The Zombies music, and what might have been had they kept the band together during The Odessy and the Oracle period.
The Zombies should be required listening for any music enthusiast. They’ve got your standard 60’s covers (i.e. “You Really Got a Hold on Me”, “Going out of My Head”), but they also do a fantastic cover of Gershwin’s “Summertime”. In addition to that, they’ve also got those original songs that never quite made it, but should have (check out “Indication” and “Just Out of Reach”). In fact, pick up The Odessy and the Oracle for an experience beyond just “Time of the Season”. You’ll remember them for more than just their few hits for sure.
More Zombies:
http://www.zom.thefondfarewells.com/ (Zombies Fan Page)
http://www.colinblunstone.co.uk/ (Colin Blunstone’s website)
http://www.rodargent.com/ (Rod Argent’s Home page)