New York, NY (Jan 23, 2017) – The Zombies continue their remarkable 21st-century resurgence with a North American tour, the release of a lavish coffee-table book and reissues on CD and Vinyl. The Spring 2017 trek across the U.S. and Canada, which will continue to England and Europe later next year, includes the final full-album performances of Odessey and Oracle reuniting all four surviving members of the group, 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 line-up of the Zombies, celebrating their current release Still Got That Hunger on The End Records includes bassist Jim Rodford, guitarist Tom Toomey and Steve Rodford (Jim’s son) on drums. The Zombies just received their second nomination for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Odessey and Oracle produced the group’s biggest hit (“Time of the Season”), and became a musical touchstone for generations to come. 50 years later, it brings the four surviving members back together on stage to perform the album in its entirety for the final time.
The book, which will be published by BMG Books and Reel Art Press in March 2017, will include handwritten lyrics for all the songs on Odessey And Oracle, as well as many of their other popular songsLavishly 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 will include 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.
The Odessey and Oracle is being reissued for the first time on CD in digipak on March 17th. 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.
A Greatest Hits LP is set to release on April 7th. Both these titles are being released via Varese Sarabande. There will also be a reissue of ‘Still Got That Hunger’ on vinyl in baby blue which will be ready in time for the tour via The End/BMG
For Record Store Day- April 22nd Varese is doing a limited edition 7 inch “A Rose for Emily” on Rose Coloured 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.
Writing about that special event for Rolling Stone, critic David Fricke called it “absolutely triumphant,” and said, “Either half of this night would have been exhilarating in its own right. Together, they were a story still busy being told — in classic-pop history, psychedelic monument, continuing aspiration and enduring friendship.” The magic of that evening and the few other O&O shows was too undeniable to not continue to share it, so the band decided to bring it back one more time for this new set of tour dates.
Tour Dates:
March 17 – Keswick Theatre – Glenside (Philadelphia), PA
March 18 – Penn’s Peak – Jim Thorpe, PA
March 20 – Carolina Theatre of Durham – Durham, NC
March 21 – Sandler Center for the Performing Arts – Virginia Beach, VA
March 23 – 9:30 Club – Washington, DC
March 24- H. Ric Luhars Performing Arts Center- Shippensburg, PA
March 25 – Town Hall – New York, NY
March 28 – The Wilbur Theatre – Boston, MA
March 30 – The Ridgefield Playhouse – Ridgefield, CT
March 31 – Calvin Theatre – Northampton, MA
April 1 – Imperial Cinema – Montreal, QC
April 2 – The Danforth Music Hall – Toronto, ON
April 4 – Royal Oak Music Theatre – Royal Oak (Detroit), MI
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 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 28- Stage Coach Festival- Indio, CA
April 29 – Ace Hotel- Los Angeles, CA