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| Colin Blunstone | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Colin Edward Michael Blunstone |
| Also known as | Neil MacArthur |
| Born | 24 June 1945 |
| Origin | Hatfield, Hertfordshire |
| Genre(s) | Pop music |
| Occupation(s) | singer, songwriter, guitarist |
| Years active | 1960s - present |
| Label(s) | Epic Records, Decca Records, CBS Records, Deram Records |
| Associated acts | The Zombies, Argent |
| Website | colinblunstone.co.uk |
Colin Edward Michael Blunstone (born 24 June 1945 in Hatfield, Hertfordshire) is an English pop singer/songwriter, best known as a member of the pop group The Zombies, and for his participation on various albums with the Alan Parsons Project. [1]
Contents |
Biography
He attended St Albans County Grammar School for Boys.[1]
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. 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, singing in a much gentler, softer style, notably in 1972 with "Say You Don't Mind" (written by future Wings member Denny Laine) and "I Don't Believe In Miracles" (wtitten by Argent member Russ Ballard), both with distinctive string arrangements by Christopher Gunning
One Year (released in 1971 and produced by Chris White) 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.
He signed with Elton John's Rocket Records and released three albums, Planes (1976), Never Even Thought (1978) and Late Nights In Soho (1979), which was only released in Europe.
Blunstone also contributed his unique, breathy vocals to Dave Stewart's hit cover version of the Tamla classic, "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" (1980).
He went on to appear on several albums by The Alan Parsons Project including Eye in the Sky and Ammonia Avenue. In 1984, he joined with other Parsons musicians to form Keats.
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 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
- Mary, Won't You Warm My Bed / I Hope I Didn't Say Too Much Last Night - Epic EPC7095 (1971)
- Caroline, Goodbye / Though You Are Far Away - Epic EPC7520 (OCT 1971)
- Say You Don't Mind / Let Me Come Closer - Epic EPC7765 (Jan 1972) (UK #15)
- I Don't Believe In Miracles / I've Always Had You - Epic EPC8434 (Oct 1972) (UK #31)
- How Could We Dare To Be Wrong / Time's Running Out - Epic EPC1197 (Feb 1973) (UK #45)
- Wonderful / Beginning - Epic EPC1775 (Sept 1973)
- It's Magical / Summersong - Epic EPC2413 (May 1974)
- When You Close Your Eyes / Good Guys Don't Always Win - Epic EPC4576
- Planes / Dancing In The Dark - Epic EPC4752 (Nov 1976)
- Beautiful You / It's Hard To Say Goodbye - Epic EPC5009 (Feb 1977)
- Lovin' and Free / Dancing in the Dark - Epic EPC5199 (April 1977)
- I'll Never Forget You / You Are The Way For Me - Epic EPC6320 (May 1978)
- Ain't It Funny / Who's That Knocking? - Epic EPC6535 (July 1978)
- Photograph / Touch And Go - Epic EPC6793 (Nov 1978)
- What Becomes of the Brokenhearted (with Dave Stewart) / There Is No Reward (non Blunstone B Side) - Stiff Broken 1 (1980) (UK #13)
- Miles Away / Excerpts From Exiled (non Blunstone B Side) - Panache PAN1 (Sept 1981)
- The Tracks of My Tears / Last Goodbye - PRT 7P236 (April 1982) (UK #60)
- Touch / Touch (Instrumental) - PRT 7P64 (Feb 1983)
- Where Do We Go From Here? / Helen Loves Paris - Sierra FED22 (May 1986)
- She's Not There / Who Fires The Gun - Sierra FED27 (Oct 1986)
- Cry an Ocean / Make It Easy - IRS IRM151 (May 1988)
As Neil MacArthur
- She's Not There / World of Glass - Deram DM225 (Jan 1969)
- Don't Try to Explain / Without Her - Deram DM262 (June 1969)
- It's Not Easy / 12:29 - Deram DM275 (Dec 1969)
Albums
- One Year (1971)
- Ennismore (1973)
- Journey (1974)
- Planes (1976)
- Never Even Thought (1978)
- Late Nights In Soho (1979)
- Sings His Greatest Hits (1991)
- Echo Bridge (1995)
- Live at the BBC (1995)
- The Light Inside (1998)
- Out of the Shadows (with Rod Argent) (2002)
- As Far as I Can See (with Rod Argent as The Zombies) (2004)
- Live at the Bloomsbury Theatre, London (with Rod Argent as The Zombies) (2005)
Guest appearances
- Alan Parsons Project Pyramid (1978) "The Eagle Will Rise Again"
- Mike Batt Tarot Suite (1979) "Losing Your Way in the Rain"
- Iva Twydell Duel (1982) (Backing vocals)
- Alan Parsons Project Eye in the Sky (1982) Old and Wise (US #22)
- Keats Keats (1984)
- Alan Parsons Project Ammonia Avenue (1984) Dancing on a Highwire
- Alan Parsons Project Vulture Culture (1985) Somebody Out There
- Don Airey K2 (1989) Julie
- Nadieh No Way Back (1989)Splendid Morning (duet with Nadieh)
- The Bolland Project Darwin (The Evolution) (1991) The Way Of The Evolution, Emma My Dear
- Duncan Browne Songs Of Love And War (1995) Misunderstood, Love Leads You, I Fall Again
- Steve Hackett Watcher Of The Skies : Genesis Revisited (1997) For Absent Friends
- Mike Batt Keep The Aspidistra Flying (1998) Tiger In The Night
- Mike Batt with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Philharmania (1998)(released only in Germany) Owner Of A Lonely Heart
- Alan Parsons The Time Machine (1999) The Ignorance Is Bliss
- Sir John Betjeman & Mike Read Words & Music (2000) Peggy, In Memory
References
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
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