Interview with a Zombie

You already know the hits: “Time of the Season,” “She’s Not There” and “Tell Her No,” among others. But you might not know the name behind the unmistakable voice on those FM radio classics by The Zombies. That voice, of course, belongs to Colin Blunstone, co-founder and longtime lead singer of the acclaimed British Invasion band. Blunstone co-led The Zombies with Rod Argent through the tumultuous 1960s and continues to perform with a revised version of the band today. On Sunday, September 6, Blunstone will bring that legendary voice to Westerly’s United Theatre, sharing the bill with near-mythical musician and producer Peter Asher and ’80s London New Wave band, The Fixx.

I recently spoke with Blunstone about his long and winding career, from the early days of The Zombies to his solo work, collaborations with the Alan Parsons Project and his plans for a new album. The upcoming show brings together artists from two distinct generations, and fans of all ages and musical inclinations will likely be in attendance – something Blunstone says he got used to early in his career. “When I first came into the business, we had these tours where there would be several acts on the bill, and they would all be completely different,” he notes. “People really enjoyed the variety. I hope they can on this tour – it certainly will be fun for us.”

Indeed, looking back on the early years of The Zombies, Blunstone recalls the “package tours” that brought several top-charting bands to towns across America and the UK in the 1960s. “I went from playing local gigs in pubs to playing with The Searchers, Dionne Warwick, and the Isley Brothers,” he continues. “We just had to grow up overnight and learn to play with these people. They were magical tours. Dick Clark’s Caravan of Stars, Murray the K Christmas Show; you would have 14 or 15 acts, all completely different. All together, they made a wonderful show.”

An album ahead of its time

Best known for the aforementioned radio hits, The Zombies’ greatest musical achievement may be the 1968 album Odessey and Oracle, which Rolling Stone magazine ranked among the Top 100 albums of all time. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London, the album has been rediscovered and resurrected more than once, influencing artists including Tom Petty, Dave Grohl, Susanna Hoffs and Paul Weller.

“I think it was called EMI Studios then; it was the top studio in the country,” notes Blunstone. “It was a wonderful experience recording there. We were on a very tight budget, so I know we recorded really quickly. We rehearsed everything before we got into the studio: we knew which songs we were doing, which keys we were playing in, and the arrangements. “It was a little bit pressured, but it was really good fun. I remember thinking at the end of recording the album, my main thought was that it was the best we possibly could have done.”

Of course, like many revered works of art, the album barely registered when it was first released. “At the time it came out, it wasn't a success at all. It wasn't even derided,” laughs Blunstone. “They didn't have the energy or interest to deride it. They just ignored it.” However, the album’s reputation would grow considerably in the decades that followed.

An evolving career

Blunstone was in and out of the music business in the years that followed, recording acclaimed solo albums – including the 1971 chamber-pop masterpiece One Year – working with the Alan Parsons Project, and occasionally touring with The Zombies. “I think that most people thought, in the '60s, that a career would probably last two or three years,” says Blunstone. “I regret that I didn't know that you could have a lifetime's career as a performing artist in the music business. I think possibly I would have taken it a bit more seriously when I was younger if I had known. And it wouldn't have been a bad thing to learn a bit more about the business, recording techniques and so forth. But you're only young once and you know, youngsters enjoy themselves.”

Over the years, Blunstone has built a substantial body of work. When asked about his personal favorites, he doesn't hesitate. “I love all the songs on Odyssey and Oracle,” he says. “I thought ‘Care of Cell 44’ was the most commercial song; it was issued as a single in the UK, and it wasn't a hit. I love the hits – ‘She's Not There,’ ‘Tell Her No,’ ‘Time of the Season.’ Off the top of my head, a song that I do have a special relationship with is ‘Old and Wise’ from the Alan Parsons Project, which is on their album Eye in the Sky. It's a really emotional song. In certain performances, I can feel it from the audience; when I play that song, there is a huge hush. You can really feel the emotion coming from the audience to the stage.”

Looking ahead

Now 81, Blunstone has no plans to put away his microphone. He hopes to continue touring and is working on a new album – one that represents a significant first in his career. “We’re about halfway through a new album,” he explains. “It'll certainly be finished before Christmas, and we hope it'll be released next spring. It's the first album I've ever done where I've written all the songs. So in that respect, it's very different. It's very exciting for me to be recording all my own songs. I'm probably a little bit scared as well, but isn't that good?”

As for his secret to staying young on the road, Blunstone has a simple formula. “Your formula on the road does change as you get older; you need to stay hydrated, you've got to drink plenty of water, eat sensibly, and the other big thing is you need plenty of sleep. When we were kids, at the end of the show we would look for a party. We'd want to get out and about and meet people. And now at the end of the show, there's a stampede to get back to the hotel, to get to bed, to get some sleep, because we're all exhausted.”

After more than six decades in music, Blunstone is still recording, still performing and, clearly, still having fun. For a voice that helped define the sound of the British Invasion, that seems like a pretty good formula for longevity. Learn more about the show and find tickets at UnitedTheatre.org.