TIMELESS British rockers The Zombies are in the middle of a hectic American tour which will see them play locally at the Fonda Theatre on July 23rd. The band were one of pioneers of the so-called British Invasion in the early 1960s, and 60 years on, they are still rocking with the best of them.
The bandwas formed in St Albans, Hertfordshire in 1961 by Rod Argent, Paul Atkinson, Hugh Grundy, Paul Arnold and vocalist Colin Blunstone. Colin sat down with the British Weekly recently to discuss the tour, and how they all got started…
How did you get your start in the music business?
It was by chance really. In 1961 when I was 15, the boy who sat next to me in school had been asked to join a band and as he knew I had a guitar he asked if I wanted to join too. With one personnel change that band became The Zombies and led to a sixty year career in the music business.
You were a leading part of the first British Invasion with the Stones and the Beatles. What was it like breaking the American Hot 100 billboard charts with The Zombies for the first time and stepping foot on American soil?
As America was the home of the blues, and jazz and rock ‘n’ roll it was a country all British musicians were desperate to explore. To arrive in 1964 with a record high in the charts ready to perform on shows with some of our musical heroes was beyond my wildest dreams.
How do you feel the music industry has changed since you first began 50 years ago?
It’s changed out of all recognition. The way music is recorded and the way music is accessible is totally different. I don’t think about the changes too much. I simply like to write songs on my guitar. I practice my singing exercises and I tour with The Zombies. It’s more than enough for me.
Do you keep in touch with surviving members of The Zombies, if so how often do you see each other?
I see Rod Argent all the time. Chris White has moved west but we speak on the phone. I don’t see Hugh Grundy so often as he’s moved to Spain but every now and again we get together and it really is just like the old days.
You have a career that has spanned more than 50 years. How have you managed to move with the times?
I try to look at my career in a different way. The emphasis has always been on writing and performing music that moves me or means something to me in the hope it will then mean something to other people as well. Subconsciously every artist absorbs a little of the current trends and this will inevitably colour his or her work.
We are looking forward to seeing your concert in LA and the Fonda Theatre. Tell us what can we expect?
As the lead singer of the band I can tell you I sing in front of a really, really good, energized, rocking band. Each member is a master of his instrument and they play together as a tight serious unit!!
Any chance of hearing new material at these shows?
We will play the hits, some songs from the original Zombies last album “Odessey and Oracle” (which Rolling Stone named as one of the 100 best albums of all time) some deep cuts and some brand new songs from our new unreleased album.
What are some of your favorite tracks you are looking forward to playing?
I still enjoy playing the original site and of course it’s always a thrill to play brand new songs!!
Music is clearly your life, but what other activities do you get up to in your downtime?
I live a very quiet life when I’m at home, maybe painting, walking or seeing if I can do anything useful in the garden.
Do you spend much time in LA when not touring? If so, what are some of your favorite spots to revisit?
I really enjoyed living in LA in the late 70’s but my memory is a little hazy now about specific areas and favourite activities. More recently touring doesn’t really allow time for exploring the towns we perform in… maybe this time I’ll get the chance to re-discover some of my old haunts??
