The Zombies: Odessey, Oracle, and Other Oddities

An Interview with Author Robin Platts About His Book

It may not be Halloween, but it’s always a frighteningly good time to discuss the Zombies— the UK-based rock band from the late 1960s that wrote and recorded seminal music that helped define the sound of those golden year—not the brain dead ghouls found skulking around after dark in your local cemetery. The Zombies found early success then found maintaining chart magic challenging.

Formed in St. Alban’s in 1961, the band’s core group during their chat-topping days consisted of Colin Blunstone (vocals), Rod Argent (vocals and keyboards), Paul Atkinson (guitar), Chris White (bass), and Hugh Grundy (drums). After a few hits early in their career - such as “Tell Her No” and “She’s Not There” - the group’s critical success waned until a few months after their break up! As the story goes, multi-instrumentalist and showbiz Zelig figure, Al Kooper, who was signed to Columbia Records at the time, convinced the label’s top brass to give Odessey and Oracle more label support. As a result of Kooper’s pitch, “Time of the Season” become not only a number 3 Billboard hit, but also one of the decade’s most representative tracks.

The last few decades kept the Zombies animated, performing excellent live performances several of which I’d had the pleasure to attend. They also released some fabulous new music boasting the musical chops that they’ve kept in shape through many years of touring, but that also serve to complement the music that they produced in their hey-day. In fact, you can read my review of their most recent studio album at TrackingAngle.com.

Author Robin Platts thinks now's the time to resurrect the Zombies’ story in his newest book published by HoZac books titled, Times And Seasons – The Rise and Fall and Rise of the ZOMBIES, which also features a foreword by the Bangles’ Susanna Hoffs. Prior to this, Platts has written books about Genesis and Burt Bacharach & Hal David, and has contributed to Discoveries, Goldmine, MOJO, The Tracking Angle print edition as well as writing the liner notes for Colin Bluntstone’s Live at the BBC CD. 

Thanks to Robin for allowing me to delve into the story behind the story of his latest book about one of the more mysteriously misunderstood bands of the 1960s and their recent second-life. 

You can read the entire interview at Michael Fremer's Tracking Angle.