Questions for The Zombies
With hits like the evergreen song She’s Not There, The Zombies were global pop stars before splitting in the 60s. After successful solo careers, founder members Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent reunited, made new music, and now tour internationally. The Zombies play Edinburgh’s Queen’s Hall on June 16.
WHO IS THE STUBBORN ONE?
Colin Blunstone: He’s a world class musician so perfection makes
Rod stubborn.
Rod Argent: He’ll say me, but Colin has stubbornness that he doesn’t realise is there.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE OTHER IN THREE ADJECTIVES?
CB: Rod’s brilliant, determined, tenacious. RA: He’s gentle, considerate, conscientious.
WHO’S MORE LIKELY TO BUY SOMETHING EXPENSIVE?
CB: Rod. I do an initial skirmish to check prices first. RA: I am. If I want a leather coat Colin will say “go for lunch, think about it, come back.”
ONE TIME YOU’VE BEEN GLAD TO HAVE THE OTHER?
CB: We played a sell-out Carnegie Hall with a cover song neither of us had heard before. I was calm because Rod is bombproof.
RA: I had some health issues. Colin’s support was invaluable.
ONE THING THE OTHER HAS DONE THAT SURPRISED YOU?
CB: When we reunited in 1999 for some dates. I thought he’d say no, yet 19 years later we’re selling out gigs everywhere.
RA: A month ago he asked for a coffee. I nearly fell off my chair. Colin gave it up years ago. Now he’s a maniac for it.
WHAT WILL YOUR HEADSTONE READ?
CB: He was a trier. RA: He tried to be true to himself.
WHAT WOULD YOU SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON?
CB: After The Zombies split I worked in insurance as I was penniless, not because I was fed up with music.
RA: We weren’t nerds. Out first photos, taken after leaving school, followed us for years.
WHO MAKES YOU LAUGH?
CB: My wife and daughter. I hate jokes. I worry I won’t understand the punchline.
RA: Rob Brydon, Lee Mack, Monty Python.
WHICH SONG WILL YOU NEVER TIRE OF?
CB: Old And Wise. I sang it on the Alan Parsons Project. I love Sting’s Fragile, but I’ve not sung that live.
RA: Our song Time Of The Season. It’s become so iconic in America.
YOU HAVE 24 HOURS LEFT TO LIVE. HOW
DO YOU SPEND IT?
CB: Leading the England rugby team out at Twickenham. I’d leave quickly otherwise I’d get crushed (laughs).
RA: Miles Davis influenced my song She’s Not There. I’d magic myself and my wife back to see his Quintet play with Bill Evans.