Back from the dead

IT’S now half a century since a group of guys in St Albans got together to form a band called The Zombies.

Back then they were playing a local rugby club and they members were still all at school.

But big things awaited these lads.

This includes penning a song which is rated by America’s rock bible, Rolling Stone, at number 297 on its list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.

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Yet fame was fickle for The Zombies and that massive hit, She’s Not There, was not to be repeated – certainly not in the UK.

But She’s Not There gave the band a following on both sides of the Atlantic and provided them with a lot of work.

Now, the new line-up has just returned from touring America and Europe to bring their live chemistry to UK audiences.

They will be playing the Ferry on Saturday, November 19.

The band retains two of the founding members, Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent, and are joined by long-time acquaintances Tom Toomey on guitar, Jim Rodford on bass and drummer Steve Rodford.

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They will play songs from throughout their career, including the seminal 1968 album Odessey and Oracle.

There is also a new album — Breathe Out, Breathe In — and single already released.

The independent newspaper was glowing in its praise of the single, A Moment in Time, and said that it was so reflective it could have come from the Odessey and Oracle album.

And the album has had reviewers fawning over it.

It is some 46 years since screaming American teen girls drowned out their appearance on the US’s Hullabaloo TV programme – and that’s a lot of water under the bridge.

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However, The Zombies may have the grey, they may not have the moves they once had but they are undoubtedly enjoying being back on the road and in the studios – perhaps even more so than in their heyday.

The Zombies play the Ferry on November 19 and tickets are £18.50.

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