The Zombies have announced a string of new North American tour dates, the release of a coffee-table book, The Odessey, and reissues on CD and vinyl. The spring 2017 trek across the U.S. and Canada began March 17 and will continue to England and Europe later next year. It includes the final full-album performances of Odessey and Oracle reuniting all four surviving members of The Zombies, with Colin Blunstone on lead vocals, Rod Argent on keyboards/vocals, Chris White on bass/vocals, and Hugh Grundy on drums.
Along with founding members Blunstone and Argent, the current lineup of the Zombies, celebrating their recent release Still Got That Hunger on The End Records, includes bassist Jim Rodford (of Argent and the Kinks), guitarist Tom Toomey and Steve Rodford (Jim’s son) on drums. Last fall, The Zombies received their second nomination for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Odessey and Oracle, which turns 50 this year, produced the group’s biggest hit, “Time of the Season.” The four surviving members will perform the album in its entirety for the final time.
The book, which was published by BMG Books and Reel Art Press in March, includes handwritten lyrics for all the songs on Odessey and Oracle, as well as many of their other popular songs. Illustrated with rarely seen photos from throughout the band’s career, the volume also includes original artwork to accompany the lyrics, from both Terry Quirk, who created the iconic cover for Odessey and Oracle, and Vivienne Boucherat, who created individual works for each O&O song. The book’s text includes anecdotes behind the songs and their recording, all from the original members, as well as reflections from Brian Wilson, Nate Ruess, Clive Davis, Carlos Santana, Susanna Hoffs, and many others. The foreword was written by Tom Petty. Order it here.
Odessey and Oracle was reissued for the first time on CD in digipak on March 17. Bonus tracks on the CD include alternate versions and outtakes from the original recording sessions. The booklet contains never-seen photos as well as new notes from Andrew Sandoval. Order here.
A greatest hits LP is being released on April 7. (Pre-order here.) Both titles are from Varese Sarabande.
For Record Store Day, April 22, Varese is releasing a limited-edition 7-inch of the Odessey track “A Rose for Emily” on rose-colored vinyl with the B-Side “This Will Be Our Year.” In addition, The End Records is releasing a 7-inch featuring their 2015 version of “I Want You Back Again” with the original 1965 recording on the flip side.
In 2015, original members White and Grundy re-joined their former bandmates for select performances of Odessey and Oracle—the first time the album had ever been performed in its entirety in the U.S.—including at a sold-out show in New York City. The band’s fifth original member, guitarist Paul Atkinson, died in 2004.
Related: Read BCB’s review of a 2015 Odessey and Oracle show
The Zombies North American Tour Dates (Click here or here for tickets):
April 5 – Lorain Palace Theater – Lorain (Cleveland), OH
April 7 – Golden Nugget – Biloxi, MS
April 8 – Variety Playhouse – Atlanta, GA
April 9 – Tennessee PAC James K. Polk Theater – Nashville, TN
April 11 – Sangamon Auditorium at University of Illinois Springfield – Springfield, IL
April 13 – Thalia Hall – Chicago, IL
April 14 – Thalia Hall – Chicago, IL
April 15 – Barrymore Theatre – Madison, WI
April 17 – First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN
April 18 – Club Regent Casino Concert Bowl – Winnipeg, MB
April 21 – Commodore Ballroom – Vancouver, BC
April 22 – The Showbox – Seattle, WA
April 23 – Aladdin Theater – Portland, OR
April 25 – The UC Theatre – Berkeley, CA
April 27 – The Grammy Museum – Los Angeles, CA
April 28 – Stage Coach Festival- Indio, CA
April 29 – Ace Hotel- Los Angeles, CA
May 04 – Houston, TX – The Heights Theatre
May 06 – Dallas, TX – aTrolla Festival
May 08 – Ridgefield, CT – Ridgefield Playhouse
May 09 – Boston, MA – Wilbur Theatre
May 10 – Northampton, MA – Calvin Theatre
July 06 – Quebec, Canada – Festival d’été de Québec
July 11 – Ottawa, Canada – Ottawa Bluesfest
July 14 – Englewood, NJ – Bergen PAC
Watch The Zombies perform “Care of Cell 44” from Odessey & Oracle in 2016
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