GuilFest 2006. The 3 Day Guildford Music Festival on 14th, 15th and 16th July 2006

About the bands
return to main menu [return]

Artist: The Zombies
Genre: Pop
Performing: 17th July 2005 / The BBC Radio 2 Mainstage
Website Address: [ ]
...................................................................

In the early Sixties four teenagers from Hertfordshire formed a new group that was destined to achieve top ten hits on both sides of the Atlantic, sell millions of records and carve out a singular niche in the history of pop music.....the ZOMBIES, with 18 year old Colin Blunstone on lead vocals and Rod Argent on keyboards first came to prominence when their debut single "She's Not There" reached number 12 in the U.K.charts. The song when released in the USA achieved even greater success, hitting the number 1 spot in the Cashbox chart and number 2 in Billboard.

The individual, breathy voice of Colin Blunstone, coupled with Rod's distinctive keyboard style and his brilliantly penned songs gave the Zombies an unmistakable style and musical identity.

Further hits came with "Tell Her No" and "Time Of The Season" whilst two successful albums "Begin Here" and the oddly spelt but beautiful "Odessey And Oracle" were released in 1965 and 1968 respectively, proving the extent of the bands exceptional talents, still widely acknowledged today.

When the Zombies split, Colin and Rod moved in different directions, Colin into the World of pop and Rod into the World of progressive rock.

Colin signed to the Epic Label and recorded the albums "One Year" (1971); and "Ennismore" (1972) - which respectively spawned the huge hit singles "Say You Don't Mind" and "I Don't Believe In Miracles". These were followed in 1974 by the fabulous "Journey" album before Colin signed to ELTON JOHN'S Rocket label and moved out to California where he recorded "Planes" (1976); "Never Even Thought" (1978) and "Late Night's In Soho" (1979).

In the Seventies Rod Argent formed his self named band ARGENT with whom he scored a massive hit "Hold Your Head Up" which became one of the rock anthems of the decade on both sides of the Atlantic. Argent enjoyed further single success and two of the bands eight albums hit the upper reaches of the LP charts.

The eighties found Colin back in the UK but unable to release solo material due to a long contractual dispute. He was however able to perform on a number of releases by the ALAN PARSON'S PROJECT and featured on DAVE STEWART'S version of Jimmy Ruffin's "What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted" which saw Colin back in the charts once again.

Rod Argent meanwhile released a couple of acclaimed solo albums. One, "Ghosts" was recorded in conjunction with saxophonist BARBARA THOMPSON and drummer JON HISEMAN. The remainder of the Eighties was spent in production work and scoring television drama's.

Colin began the Nineties with a new album appeared entitled "Colin Blunstone Sings His Greatest Hits" (recently rereleased),an excellent collection of re-recorded tunes from Colin's Zombie days and also from his solo career. The album proved that Colin still possessed one of the most distinctive voices in the business and spurred him on to work once again. That album was followed by "Echo Bridge" in 1995 and "The Light Inside" in 1998. Colin by now was back on the road, enjoying sell-out shows at London's Borderline Club and prestigeous appearances at The Cafe Royal.

Rod Argent, who had witnessed one or two of Colin's shows, was enticed back on stage for a Zombies reunion at the Jazz Cafe to help promote the release of the four CD box set "Zombie Heaven". Colin and Rod, who had always kept in touch, discussed the possibilities of recording and playing live together once more which led to a few shows in May 1999. The success of those shows led to a major U.K. tour throughout May and June 2000 with the years highlight being two sell-out shows at the prestigeous Jazz Café in London’s Camden Town.

A highly acclaimed CD entitled “OUT OF THE SHADOWS” was released in 2002 and more recently was the release of the big selling “AS FAR AS I CAN SEE” In the second half of 2004 the band have toured constantly, enjoying a hugely successful month in the USA followed by an equally successful month in Holland. The band began 2005 with a UK tour in February to promote their forthcoming “Live” CD and DVD. A further tour is currently being arranged for November along with appearances at the prestigeous Cabot Hall in London and the Coventry Jazz Festival.

Joining Rod and Colin on stage are their fantastic band comprising former Argent bassman JIM RODFORD, his son STEVE RODFORD on drums and top session player KEITH AIREY on guitar. Expect the hits of the Zombies “She’s Not There”; “Time Of The Season”, Colin’s solo hit’s, “Say You Don’t Mind”; “Caroline Goodbye”, and the best of Argent, “Hold Your Head Up” and “God Gave Rock & Roll To You” amongst a host of other well known and much loved songs drawn from the careers of these two great talents – and not forgetting some fantastic material from their latest releases.

Look out for two phenomenal talents, together on stage with their new band. Some old songs, some new songs and a guaranteed great night!