June 24: Lead vocalist, Colin Blunstone - The Zombies, The Alan Parsons Project – is 68-years-old today.

-----

Colin Edward Michael Blunstone from St. Albans County in England, was born 24 June 1945. 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), 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. In 1969, he signed with Deram Records and cut three singles under the pseudonym of Neil MacArthur, including a re-make of The Zombies' hit, "She's Not There" which charted in the UK.

He had some success as a solo artist in the early 70s, notably in 1972 with "Say You Don't Mind,"written by future Wings member Denny Laine, and "I Don't Believe in Miracles" written by Argent member Russ Ballard. Additional minor hits followed with "How Could We Dare To Be Wrong" in early 1973, and "Tracks of My Tears" in 1982.

One Year produced by fellow Zombie Chris White in 1971, was his first solo album, and included the song "Caroline Goodbye" about Blunstone's break-up with the model and actress Caroline Munro. This was followed by Ennismore and Journey. He then signed with Elton John's record label named The Rocket Record Company and released three albums, Planes (1976), Never Even Thought (1978) and Late Nights in Soho (1979), which was only released in Europe.

Colin then appeared on several albums by The Alan Parsons Project including Eye in the Sky, where he sings the hit single "Old and Wise," and Ammonia Avenue. In 1984, he joined with other Parsons musicians to form Keats.

He has also acted. He appeared in The Savages (2001) and Keep the Aspidistra Flying (1997) both as a singer.

Blunstone still tours, 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 more recent albums are As Far As I Can See, the mid 1990s Echo Bridge and Out of the Shadows (with Rod Argent). His solo album, The Ghost of You And Me was released in the UK, Benelux and Scandinavia on 9 March 2009.

He continues to tour with Rod Argent as The Zombies, and the original surviving members of The Zombies played four reunion concerts performing Odessey and Oracle, in April 2009.

In 2010, Sony released Colin Blunstone Original Album Classics, a 3-disc boxed set featuring digitally re-mastered versions of Blunstone's solo albums.Breathe In, Breathe Out with Rod Argent as The Zombies was released in 2011.

-----

For more about Colin, visit his Website at –

http://www.colinblunstone.co.uk/

####