They were influences of Tom Petty, Todd Rundgren, and Alan Parsons. And 50+ years later, they’re still going.
The Zombies, in case you didn’t know, are actually one of the most influential bands of all time. Part of the British Invasion, their intended 1968 swan song Odessey and Oracle is listed at number 100 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums list. And while most of the original lineup is gone, the two remaining members, lead singer Colin Blunstone and keyboardist Rod Argent are keeping their legendary legacy alive.
Last year, the current band toured with what’s left of the original lineup to play Odessey and Oracle all the way through, in celebration of the album’s 50th anniversary. It was also promised to be the final tour to feature the original lineup, so their Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction later this year will probably be the last time we see them all together. That is, if all four show up.
The Zombies tend to rock Clearwater’s Capitol Theatre annually, and this year’s show was a celebration of primarily their hits. Following an opening act from future rock and roll icon Liz Brasher, The Zombies’ current lineup came out around 9:00 with their rowdy cover of Bo Diddley’s Road Runner. Then came their classic I Want You Back Again, which was revamped and slowed down on their recently released Still Got That Hunger album.
“This is basically going to be a 50 year history of The Zombies’ music.” Blunstone confirmed three songs in. Boy, was it. There were fans in the house that before tonight, probably didn’t know that these legends were still performing, let alone recording new material. Rod Argent pointed that out too, by dedicating the music off of Still Got That Hunger to a fan they met during the preshow meet and greet who said that he was a fan from long ago, and was so glad to find out they were still recording.
After a heartfelt salute to the mainstream musicians who gave Odessey and Oracle the reputation it has, including Zombies superfan Tom Petty, came a quartet of songs from the album. Appropriately, the opening track Care Of Cell 44 started, followed by the slow-going song that can be seen as a response to their Hall Of Fame induction, This Will Be Our Year. Later came the Rod Argent vocalized I Want Her She Wants Me, as well as their earworm Time Of The Season, which got everybody going. And there was not a soul in the house under the age of 30.
With all that said, an Argent hit, (not just Rod – the group he formed with former Zombie Chris White) Hold Your Head Up, was easily the highlight of the night. “Let me just clarify before we begin that the lyrics in the chorus are ‘hold your head up, woman,’ not ‘hold your head up, wo-oah!” he confirmed beforehand. The song lasted around eight minutes, and featured one of Rod’s many extensive, yet legendary keyboard solos heard that night.
The night to remember closed with their smash hit, 1964’s She’s Not There, along with God Gave Rock And Roll To You. Yeah, you read that right. The song KISS made famous again.
You can thank Argent for that. And also The Zombies for keeping it alive. No wonder they’re being inducted to the Hall Of Fame this year. It really took a long time to come.
Josh Bradley Live 