Colin Edward Michael Blunstone (born June 24, 1945 in Hatfield, Hertfordshire) is an English pop singer/songwriter, best known as a member of pop group, The Zombies. He attended St Albans County Grammar School and played basketball.

Background

Blunstone's plaintive, wistful voice was one of the factors making The Zombies' single, "She's Not There" (written by fellow band member Rod Argent), such a big hit worldwide. After the amicable split of the band, shortly after completing the baroque-pop classic LP, Odessey and Oracle, Blunstone briefly worked in the insurance business before resuming his musical career. He had some success as a solo artist, singing in a much gentler, softer style, notably with "Say You Don't Mind" in 1972 (written by Denny Laine) and "I Don't Believe in Miracles".

One Year (released in 1971) was his first solo album, and includes the song "Caroline Goodbye" about Blunstone's break-up with the model and actress, Caroline Munro. This was followed by Ennismore, which is now considered a classic of that period, and Journey, of which the highlight was a track released as a single, "Wonderful", written by Chris White and featuring the keyboard work of Rod Argent.

In addition, he recorded a re-make of The Zombies' hit, "She's Not There", under the pseudonym of Neil MacArthur in 1969. He went on to appear on several albums by The Alan Parsons Project including Eye in the Sky and Ammonia Avenue.

He has appeared quite a few times on the principal radio and TV shows in the UK. He and his band performed several sessions for the John Peel Show and Johnnie Walker Show and on the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1971 where he performed live with a string quartet.

He has had only a limited acting career. He was in "The Savages" (2001) TV Series and Keep the Aspidistra Flying (1997) both as a singer. Other TV appearances include "The Dan and Dusty Show" (2004) as The Zombies, "Shindig! Presents British Invasion Vol. 2 " (1992) also as The Zombies, and "Pop Quiz" (1982). His sole movie part was in Bunny Lake Is Missing (1965) a movie directed by Otto Preminger (as The Zombies) and starring Laurence Olivier.

Blunstone also contributed his unique, breathy vocals to Dave Stewart's hit cover version of the Tamla classic, "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted" (1980).

Blunstone still tours to this day, sometimes on his own, occasionally in tours with 1960s bands such as Manfred Mann - and most often with his old Zombies colleague Rod Argent. Some of his recent albums are As Far As I Can See, the mid 1990s Echo Bridge and Out of the Shadows (with Rod Argent).

His most recent album, also in conjunction with Rod Argent, was released in 2006.

Discography

Singles

• Say You Don't Mind (1972) (UK #15)
• I Don't Believe In Miracles (1972) (UK #31)
• How Could We Dare To Be Wrong (1973) (UK #45)
• What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted? (With Dave Stewart) (1981) (UK #13)
• Tracks Of My Tears (1982) (UK #60)

External links

• Colin Blunstone's website
• Being There interview, September 2005
• Digger talks to ex-Zombie Colin Blunstone, interview, 2003
• Colin Blunstone Peel Sessions information, 2006
• Colin Blunstone & Zombies articles on the web