The Zombies

THE Zombies, helmed by founding members Rod Argent and singer Colin Blunstone, mark the group’s half century with a homecoming St Albans concert this weekend as part of a major UK tour.

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ANY band counting the likes of Paul Weller, Elvis and Dave Grohl as huge fans must have some musical legacy.

When Hertfordshire group The Zombies played their 1968 masterpiece Odessey and Oracle live for the first time in March 2008 – at the time of the album’s original release the band had already split – former The Jam singer Weller picked up tickets for all three nights at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London.

Joining the Modfather in the crowd were the likes of Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant, Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody and members of Garbage.

Meanwhile, Foo Fighters frontman and former Nirvana drummer Grohl claims Care of Cell 44 – the first track off seminal album Odessey and Oracle – changed his life.

It was subsequently one of the songs he played on BBC Radio 1 when he presented the Legends show.

Elvis even had singles by The Zombies on his jukebox at Gracelands, showing the band’s popularity in musical circles.

Perhaps best known for debut single She’s Not There, which was later a major hit for Santana, the sexagenarians are enjoying a new lease of life following the release earlier this year of latest studio album Breathe Out, Breathe In.

The Zombies stop by their home county this week for two gigs as part of the band’s 50th anniversary tour.

Helmed by Hatfield-born singer Colin Blunstone and St Albans keyboardist Rod Argent, you can catch the resurrected Zombies at Plinston Hall in Letchworth tonight (Wednesday), before a special homecoming show at the Alban Arena on Sunday, November 27.

Joining founding members Blunstone and Argent will be their long-term touring band of Tom Toomey on guitar, Jim Rodford on bass and drummer Steve Rodford.

The five-piece will be playing songs from throughout their career, including tracks from pyschedelic-pop cult classic Odessey and Oracle, including Time of the Season, which was a top five hit in America.

Following the group’s split, keyboard wizard Rod enjoyed further success in the 70s with new band Argent; rock anthem Hold Your Head Up being a top five smash in 1972 while God Gave Rock and Roll To You was later covered by Kiss, and the American band’s version featured on the soundtrack to film Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey.

The current tour marks the band’s half century and Rod still remembers when he first set eyes on Colin back in their St Albans school days.

“I first met Colin outside the Pioneer Club in St Albans for The Zombies’ first rehearsal.

“We didn’t know each other but Colin turned up with a broken nose and two black eyes.

“I thought, ‘oh no, what have we got here?’ But he was a keen rugby player and had got injured during a game.”

Colin adds: “That first rehearsal went really well because we got to borrow The Bluetones, a local St Albans band’s equipment.

“Jim Rodford, who now plays bass in The Zombies, was in them funnily enough.

“Our own equipment was dreadful though, so when we played on that it brought us down to earth.”

Fans seeing them in St Albans this weekend shouldn’t worry.

The Zombies have now got 50 years of experience to draw upon.