{"id":27774,"date":"2018-03-10T08:50:24","date_gmt":"2018-03-10T13:50:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=27774"},"modified":"2018-03-10T08:50:27","modified_gmt":"2018-03-10T13:50:27","slug":"on-stage-even-death-wont-keep-the-zombies-from-new-tour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=27774","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Even death won’t keep The Zombies from new tour"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Original members Colin Blunstone (left) and Rod Argent (right) are mourning the passing of long-time bass player Jim Rodford, and have dedicated the current North American tour to him.<\/p><\/div>\n

Zombies are coming back to the area this weekend. That\u2019s what zombies do. They keep coming back.<\/p>\n

But, these Zombies are not creatures from the dead \u2013 they are musicians from England.<\/p>\n

On March 10, The Zombies, one of the U.K.\u2019s top hitmakers from the original \u201cBritish Invasion,\u201d will headline a show at the Scottish Rite Auditorium (315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood, New Jersey, scottishriteauditorium.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

If a half-century has passed since a band\u2019s onstage debut, that band definitely has shown the ability to come back from the dead.<\/p>\n

Zombies \u2014 undead beings created through the reanimation of human corpses \u2013 obviously know how to come back from the dead.<\/p>\n

The Zombies played their first show in 1962. Still alive as a band today, the Brit rockers definitely know how to come back from the dead.<\/p>\n

The Zombies have been building their fan base for more than 50 years and that fan base continues to grow. One reason that it grows is because the band\u2019s catalog of great songs continues to grow.<\/p>\n

The Zombies released their latest album \u201cStill Got That Hunger\u201d in October 2015. The band then went on tour for two months performing its classic \u201cOdessey and Oracle\u201d album for the first time ever in the United States.<\/p>\n

The Zombies have come back to tour North America several times since then. One of the tours celebrated the 50th anniversary of \u201cOdessey and Oracle\u201d and the release of a lavish coffee-table book and reissues on CD and vinyl.<\/p>\n

The critically-acclaimed \u201cOdessey and Oracle\u201d album produced the group\u2019s biggest hit (\u201cTime of the Season\u201d) and became a musical touchstone for generations to come. The book, which was published by BMG\u00a0Books and Reel Art Press, includes handwritten\u00a0lyrics\u00a0for all the songs on\u00a0\u201cOdessey and Oracle\u201d along with many of their other popular songs<\/p>\n

Lavishly illustrated with rarely seen photos from throughout the band\u2019s career, the volume also includes\u00a0original artwork. The book\u2019s 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 \u201cForeword\u201d was written by Tom Petty, who passed away a few months ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe recorded the new album early in 2015,\u201d said Colin Blunstone, during a recent phone interview from his home in London, England.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe did it with producer Chris Potter. He has worked with the Stones, Verve and a lot of other big artists. We decided to do it a slightly different way. We did it similar to the way we did \u2018Odessey and Oracle.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen the songs were written, we rehearsed them a lot — first acoustically and later with more instruments.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen, we went into a studio where we could all record in the same room together. When you record live in the studio, it\u2019s a whole different feeling. It really enhances the performances. Band members play off one another and that\u2019s something you don\u2019t get when you\u2019re layering tracks.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe used two really nice studios in England \u2014 State of the Ark Studio in Richmond and Sugar Factory in Warmsworth. The album actually got into the Billboard Top 100. It was our first time to chart on Billboard in 50 years.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the mid-1960s, The Zombies scored a number of hit singles including \u201cTell Her No\u201d and \u201cShe\u2019s Not There\u201d and then went four years without a song in the charts. In 1968, The Zombies rose from the dead and had a Top Five hit with \u201cTime of the Season.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the early 1970s, the group disbanded and headed off to the rock-and-roll graveyard. Then, The Zombies found new life in the 1990s when Argent and Blunstone reunited for a series of dates in the U.K. They continued to tour and released an album of all-new material called \u201cBreathe Out, Breathe In\u201d (Absolute Records) in 2011.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith regard to our initial reunion 12 years ago, Rod was doing a charity with his band Argent,\u201d said Blunstone.\u00a0 \u201cI was in the audience and he called me up to sing a few songs with him. I had some solo dates not long after that so Rod came and played those dates.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe only expected to play together for those shows. But, it went great so we decided to keep it going. Halfway through the first show, it felt as though we had never stopped playing. In reality, it was a 30-year gap.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a good band. It\u2019s a thrill for me every night to get up and sing in front of a line-up like this. They give it their all every night. And, I\u2019m eternally grateful for the place the Zombies have had in people\u2019s affection.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Zombies just received their second nomination for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n

Along with founding members Blunstone and Argent, the current line-up of The Zombies guitarist Tom Toomey and drummer Steve Rodford. The line-up was radically altered by a tragic event that happened in London a few months ago \u2013 the accidental death at age 76 of The Zombies\u2019 long-time bass player Jim Rodford.<\/p>\n

On the day of Rodford\u2019s death, Rod Argent posted the following message on The Zombies\u2019 Facebook page — \u201cIt is with deep sadness that I learned this morning that my dear cousin and lifelong friend, Jim Rodford, died this morning after a fall on the stairs. More details are not yet known about the exact cause of death.<\/p>\n

\u201cJim was not only a magnificent bass player, but also from the first inextricably bound to the story of The Zombies. An enormous enabler for us. He was actually the first person ever to be asked to join the band, way back in 1961. Because he was in the top St. Albans band of the time (The Bluetones), he turned us down at first, but from day one helped us chart our course.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe loaned us The Bluestones\u2019 state-of-the-art gear for our very first rehearsal, arranged the rehearsal space, and even showed Hugh (Grundy) the first kick and snare drum pattern our original drummer ever learned. He was responsible for the first song I ever wrote (for The Bluetones – which they recorded); the person who organized most of our early gigs, and the very first person outside the group ever to hear – and pass judgement on – our first record, \u2018She\u2019s Not There\u2019 (he loved it).<\/p>\n

\u201cYears later, he became founder member, with me, of Argent; and then, for 18 years, throughout a hugely successful American period for them, was bass player for The Kinks.
\n\u201cJim, always a hugely sought-after musician, had also had long stints as bass player with both The Mike Cotton Sound and the Lonnie Donegan Band.<\/p>\n

When Colin and I put together our second incarnation in late 1999, our first phone call was to Jim. He gave us absolutely unflagging commitment, loyalty and unbelievable energy for eighteen years, and our gratitude is beyond measure.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo the end, Jim’s life was dedicated to music. He was unfailingly committed to local music — an ever-present member of the local scene in St. Albans, where he had spent his whole life. Often, Colin and I would compare notes a couple of days immediately after a U.S. tour and discuss how long it would take us to recover from an intense, fantastic but exhausting couple of months\u00a0 only to find out and marvel that Jim had already been out playing with local bands (often, but not always, with \u201cThe Rodford Files,\u201d made up of talented family members) or giving charity shows or lectures on the St. Albans music scene.
\n\u201cHis dedication was rewarded with Doctor Of Music, granted to him last year by the University Of Hertfordshire.
\n\u201cJim was a wonderful person, loved by everybody. When Colin and I, shocked and hardly able to talk, shared the news this morning, Colin said \u2018I\u2019ve never heard anyone say a bad word about him.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cHe will be unbelievably missed. Goodnight and God Bless dear friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the interview with Blunstone, which took place just a few days after Rodford\u2019s death, The Zombies\u2019 singer said, \u201cIt\u2019s difficult to put something like this into words. It was a total shock. I thought we\u2019d go on forever.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was talking to him on the phone the last thing on a Friday night. Then, the first thing Saturday morning, his son (Steve Rodford) called to tell me the news.<\/p>\n

\u201cJim was a wonderful person and a great musician. He always had time for everyone. I\u2019m going to really miss him as a person \u2013 and as a musician.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was such a surprise \u2013 and a huge reminder of our mortality. It was also a reminder that we have to keep on while we can. We\u2019ve been so fortunate with our careers.\u201d<\/p>\n

About a week after Rodford\u2019s passing, The Zombies\u2019 Facebook page posted the following — \u201cA message from The Zombies\u2019 management: \u201cThe Zombies North American tour to go forward in honour of Jim Rodford.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOn behalf of The Zombies and our extended family, we are grateful for the outpouring of love and support from fans, following the tragic and sudden loss of Jim Rodford.<\/p>\n

\u201cJim can never be replaced. Not only did his bass playing anchor the band for the past 18 years…Jim\u2019s joy and professionalism as a musician has been an inspiration to every member of The Zombies since he helped organize their first rehearsal back in 1961.<\/p>\n

\u201cNevertheless, one of the many principles we learned from Jim is that \u2018the show must go on,\u2019 and, in that spirit, we want to assure fans that The Zombies will continue. Preparations are being made for the band to perform their North American tour February 27-March 25, 2018 as scheduled.\u201d<\/p>\n

Blunstone said, \u201cAs soon as we heard the news, we had to make a decision about whether to continue. We knew Jim\u2019s attitude would have been \u2018the show must go on\u2019 so that\u2019s what we decided to do. On this tour, we\u2019ll be playing some songs from our latest album and a lot of older songs.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Zombies, who are touring with Danish musician Soren Koch on bass, could fill a 90-minute set with hits from both band incarnations along with popular album tracks from the past. But, Blunstone and Argent have never been content to rest on their laurels.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe life force of what we do is writing and recording new songs,\u201d said Blunstone. \u201cI don\u2019t think we could go out and just do old songs. Neither Rod nor I would be doing this if we weren\u2019t creating new music. For us, it\u2019s very exciting to be making new songs.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Rod is currently writing some new tunes. He plays them at sound check and we can hear them develop. I hope we\u2019ll be recording a new album later this year. I\u2019m also recording another solo album this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for the Zombies \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/Xjf8F3v18DY<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at Scottish Rite Auditorium, which has Don DiLegio as the opening act, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $59.50, $49.50 and $39.50.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Constantine Maroulis<\/p><\/div>\n

When Constantine Maroulis headlines a show on March 10 at the Rrazz Room (6426 Lower York Road, New Hope, www.therrazzroom.com<\/a>), he will have an audience featuring fans who have been drawn to him from different directions.<\/p>\n

Maroulis is a Greek-American actor and rock singer from Wyckoff, New Jersey — a scrappy kid from Brooklyn with a big voice, deep pride for his Greek heritage, and a love for the theater and rock music. He first came to prominence as the underdog on \u201cAmerican Idol.\u201d<\/p>\n

He was the sixth-place finalist on the fourth season of the reality television series \u201cAmerican Idol.\u201d Maroulis received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical for his role in \u201cRock of Ages.\u201d He also starred in the title role in \u201cJekyll and Hyde\u201d on Broadway and received a Drama League Award Nomination for a Distinguished Performance Award.<\/p>\n

When he was younger, Maroulis sang in high school garage bands and later received a B.F.A. in Music Theater from Boston Conservatory<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A few years before appearing on \u201cAmerican Idol,\u201d Maroulis competed on the dating show \u201cElimidate<\/a>,\u201d was an extra<\/a> in NBC\u2019s \u201cLaw and Order: SVU<\/a>\u201d \u00a0and performed as a voice-over artist on the Kids WB<\/a> series \u201cAstro Boy<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

He appeared in a number of off-Broadway<\/a> roles from the Conservatory and toured in the Broadway international touring company of \u201cRent<\/a>\u201d performing the lead role of Roger Davis.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe \u2018American Idol\u2019 thing came along at the right time,\u201d said Maroulis, during a recent phone interview from his home in Bergen County, New Jersey. \u201cI had been on tour with \u2018Rent\u2019 and they didn\u2019t renew my contract.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 2004, an old friend convinced him to try out for \u201cAmerican Idol.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the time, I didn\u2019t know much about \u2018American Idol\u2019 except for the title,\u201d said Maroulis. \u201cIt had only been on for three seasons and there wasn\u2019t the whole social media thing back then. Everybody needs an opportunity and that\u2019s what it was for me. It definitely changed my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another life-changing event happened much earlier in his life.<\/p>\n

Maroulis\u2019 story took an important turn at a very young age when his family moved from Brooklyn to Wyckoff. The city\u2019s manicured lifestyle was culture shock to Maroulis who preferred the more diverse and earthy environs of Brooklyn. He took solace in close family ties, and his family\u2019s eclectic music soundtrack which included goth, classic rock, jazz, Spanish hymns, Greek music, pop, and show tunes. His life would get another jolt when he witnessed his brother\u2019s performance in a high school production of \u201cWest Side Story.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Maroulis, \u201cI remember seeing the scene where he got stabbed in a rumble and came back to life in a dream sequence. That changed me forever.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen, there was \u2018American Idol.\u2019 Basically, my life changed the moment I stepped on the property. \u00a0I had cameras in my face all time. It was the right time and I was ready to play.\u201d<\/p>\n

Constantine Maroulis became a household name through his memorable run as a finalist on the fourth season of \u201cAmerican Idol.\u201d His charisma, rock-and-roll edge, and powerful vocals impressed the judges \u2013 and 30 million viewers watching the show at home. \u00a0His triumphant performances on the show included some of the program\u2019s most electrifying moments \u2013 especially his rendition of Queen\u2019s epic \u201cBohemian Rhapsody.\u201d<\/p>\n

The next big change in his life\u2019s trajectory came on Broadway.<\/p>\n

A show called \u201cRock of Ages\u201d with an unknown cast and unknown creatives came knocking. It had a great program of classic songs and Maroulis got on board. The show enjoyed a very successful run as one of the highest-grossing Broadway shows of all time. It also brought awards and critical acclaim for Maroulis including a TONY-Award nomination. And, it established him as a top-flight performer.<\/p>\n

Recently, Maroulis starred as Sergio in the world premiere musical production of \u201cThe Most Beautiful Room in New York.\u201d He is also developing several creative projects in TV and film, including Tony-Nominated work as a producer of Broadway\u2019s revival of Deaf West\u2019s \u201cSpring Awakening.\u201d He also has been releasing the singles, including \u201cAll About You,\u201d \u201cHere I Come\u201d and \u201cShe\u2019s Just Rock N Roll\u201d from his upcoming album slated for an early 2018 release.<\/p>\n

\u201cThankfully, I\u2019ve been busy enough doing acting,\u201d said Maroulis. \u201cI just put out three new songs recently and they\u2019ve been doing really well. \u2018All About You\u2019 has been getting airplay on Sirius XM. I put out singles to stay in people\u2019s minds.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just focused on songwriting and I\u2019m pleased with it. I\u2019ve had some great collaborations and have about 20 songs in the bank. I still have to work hard at making good records. It\u2019s an expensive thing — especially without a label partner. It\u2019s still a dream of mine to have a radio hit.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn my live show, I like to do intimate storytelling. And, I do songs from \u2018Rock of Ages,\u2019 \u2018West Side Story,\u2019 and \u2018American Idol.\u2019 I\u2019m going to go with songs that made me what I am today \u2013 a Greek boy, blue-collar rocker.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Constantine Maroulis — https:\/\/youtu.be\/l7Da6MjM_Mk<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the Rrazz Room will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $37.50.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Marie Miller<\/p><\/div>\n

Marie Miller, who will be opening for Five for Fighting on March 10 at The Grand Opera House (818 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-652-5577, www.thegrandwilmington.org<\/a>) and on March 11 at the Colonial Theatre (Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610- 917-1228, www.thecolonialtheatre.com<\/a>), is a singer-songwriter from Nashville.<\/p>\n

When thinking about Miller, forget any pre-conceived notions you might have when considering a sensitive singer-songwriter from Music City \u2013 images of a solo artist making music on a guitar with songs about love and heartbreak\u2026songs that were inspired by country and\/or folk artists.<\/p>\n

Miller, who has been composing songs for more than half of her 28 years, draws from influences rarely found in today\u2019s crop of singer-songwriters.<\/p>\n

Obviously, just about every songwriter has similarities to all the others — and so does Miller. When Miller writes a song, she does what all gifted writers do — she looks at her life and into her heart to make sure what she creates comes from real emotion and experience.<\/p>\n

Miller also does something none of peers do.<\/p>\n

She searches through classic literature and draws influences from great writers such as Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Leo Tolstoy and Homer. There, she finds parallels for what she wants to say, channels that inspiration into her lyrics and comes up with something unique — music that is both immediate and timeless.<\/p>\n

Miller is currently touring in support of her recent album \u201cLetterbox,\u201d which was released last year on Curb Records.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had been building up songs for a while,\u201d said Miller, during a phone interview Friday afternoon as she drove through West Virginia on her way to a show in Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy previous record was \u2018You\u2019re Not Alone,\u2019 which came out in 2014. Some of the songs on \u2018Letterbox\u2019 were written before that record came out. So, I\u2019ve been building up these songs for more than five years. I write on keyboards and guitar. It\u2019s easier to write melancholy or sad songs on piano.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I\u2019m writing. I generally have an idea or the song title first and everything goes from there. For example, with the song \u2018Glitter Gold,\u2019 I knew what I wanted to write about before I even started.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like to tap into literature. Books become like friends. I get inspired by stories written by great authors. Then, I bring it back to my life and what is going on with me. It\u2019s pretty easy. I have a good imagination. And, I can identify with tragic heroines.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of my favorite authors are Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky. The author I\u2019d like most to meet other than those two is C.S. Lewis. Some of my favorite books are \u2018The Brothers Karamazov,\u2019 \u2018Lord of the Rings,\u2019 \u2018Wuthering Heights,\u2019 and \u2018The Great Gatsby.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I\u2019m travelling on the road \u2013 like I am now in my car on the way to Pennsylvania \u2013 I\u2019m listening to books. Right now, I\u2019m listening to Graham Greene (an English novelist from the early 20th<\/sup> century).\u201d<\/p>\n

Miller\u2019s musical influences are not as eclectic.<\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up listening to a lot of different kinds of music,\u201d said Miller, who is from Front Royal, Virginia and now lives in Nashville.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like New Grass \u2013 artists like Nickel Creek and Alison Krauss. I also listened to bands like the Eagles \u2013 and Stevie Wonder. I\u2019ve always loved his voice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miller grew up with music all around her.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had a big family and my father wanted to start a family band,\u201d said Miller. \u201cI started piano lessons when I was seven and then picked up mandolin and guitar when I was 12 or 13.\u201d<\/p>\n

Around age 12, Miller began singing with her family and later with her sister as a duo, appearing at churches, festivals, community picnics and, every Saturday, on the porch of the winery her father and a partner had opened in rural Virginia, across the road from the Miller family home. She also began writing songs at that age.<\/p>\n

After a stint in Nashville when she was 16 and 17, Miller returned to Virginia. She took time off from music, went to college for a while, but kept practicing and writing. With a new confidence, she eventually went back to Nashville.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy new album was recorded in Nashville and Los Angeles,\u201d said Miller. \u201cThe tracks I did in L.A. were produced by Eric Rosse, who has worked with one of my favorites, Sara Bareilles. The tracks that were done in Nashville were produced by Chad Copelin. I also recorded my first album in Nashville and that one was on Curb Records too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Marie Miller \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/oojVqv-EqCU<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the Grand on May 10 will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $33 and $38. The show at the Colonial Theatre will start at 8 p.m. Tickets prices range from $29.50-$42.50.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at the Grand are Jeff Boyer\u2019s Bubble Trouble on March 11 and My Father\u2019s Dragon on March 14.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Zombies are coming back to the area this weekend. That\u2019s what zombies do. They keep coming back. But, these Zombies are not creatures from the dead \u2013 they are musicians from England. On March 10, The Zombies, one of the U.K.\u2019s top hitmakers from the original \u201cBritish Invasion,\u201d […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27776,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7529],"tags":[10047,6518,10048,6663],"class_list":["post-27774","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-constantine-maroulis","tag-featured","tag-marie-miller","tag-the-zombies"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27774","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=27774"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27774\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27775,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27774\/revisions\/27775"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/27776"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=27774"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=27774"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=27774"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}