The story of the Zombies comes back to life with new documentary

Boston Globe

a day ago

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Both the book and the film are lovingly crafted offerings that detail how a British band formed by teenagers became a quick success with their single 'Tell Her No.'
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Although the Zombies faced plenty of hurdles during their career, they had a happy ending: after originally dissolving because they were sinking into obscurity, the Zombies were inducted into the
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Blunstone, who turned 80 last month, won't be going back to insurance this time. He's recording a new album, and will be launching a full US tour with his own band next year. He recently spoke to the Globe via Zoom from his home outside of London.
Q.
What was your response when the film was proposed?
A.
There was a slight concern that there wasn't enough film of the Zombies from the '60s to make the documentary work. But Robert's just done a great job finding film clips that I never knew existed. It was wonderful seeing my life passing by on the screen.
Q.
The group was formed before the British Invasion. Did you think that conquering America was a possibility?
A.
Absolutely not. The Beatles changed everything. Before that, British bands would just play in Britain. But of course all British bands wanted to play in America. It's the home of the blues, jazz, and rock and roll. As I say in the documentary, I've never been quite sure if the Zombies were a lucky band or an unlucky band. Maybe later our timing wasn't so good, but at the start we were around at just the right time.
Q.
And when you reached that dream of playing America, how did it differ from what you imagined it would be like?
A.
When you're 18, I think you tend to just accept what happens the next day. It's only now looking back I realize it wasn't natural or normal at all. There were very few people flying over the Atlantic in the mid-'60s. We were doing five shows a day. And on every show we had to follow Patti LaBelle and her fantastic group the Bluebells, and they brought the house down every time.
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Q.
Even by the standards of the '60s, the gap between what the band was earning and what you actually pocketed was stunning. Are you bitter about that?
A.
I think I've got a fairly philosophical approach about it. It was such a long time ago. And I've realized that the music business is very up and down. You have to be sensitive to write and record music, but then you have to be tenacious as well to stay in the music business. It's a strange combination.
Q.
The film also has footage of one of the several
A.
I did know about it because Rolling Stone had [original bassist] Chris White ring the manager of one of the fake Zombies, and the manager explained that the lead singer and the Zombies had died in a car crash and they wanted to honor his name and the music of the Zombies! And in the '80s there was another band and they were very bad, which makes it a lot worse. Now I need to emphasize that I don't recommend this as a way of doing business, but I heard a story that they were playing one of their terrible concerts and a Zombies fan went into the dressing room and pulled a gun on them. And after that they stopped.
Q.
These days it's common for classic rock bands to keep touring with just one original member, or even none. Was there any thought of a 'Zombies featuring Colin Blunstone?'
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A
. No, there hasn't been one conversation about that. I think it's probably the same as when 'Time of the Season' was a hit 18 months after the Zombies finished. With most bands there would be a conversation about the band reforming and going out and playing, but we felt the band had finished, we were all involved in other projects and it was best to go forward rather than go backwards, and it's the same thought process in this instance.
The interview was edited and condensed.
'Hung Up on a Dream: A Film Experience with Colin Blunstone and Rooney Unplugged,' Friday, July 11, 7:15 p.m., Somerville Theater, 55 Davis Square, Somerville. Tickets: $47.15 to $90.35 at
Noah Schaffer can be reached at [e-mail]