A To Z Challenge, Music Blog

That’s Entertainment – Letter Z

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Welcome to the final installment of
“That’s Entertainment!” and the
2025 WordPress A To Z Challenge!
Our musical journey has come to an end.
Let’s see who’s closing out the adventure.

© NAR
Artwork by Ernest Federspiel

THE ZOMBIES – Five grammar school friends – Colin Blunstone, Rod Argent, Paul Atkinson, Chris White and Hugh Grundy – formed a band in St. Albans in 1963, literally outside the Blacksmiths Arms pub. According to Argent, “We met outside the pub because we were too young to go into the pub!” Blunstone added, “I was literally on the corner singing by myself, doing a Ricky Nelson song, and Rod came over and said, ‘That’s really good. I’ll tell you what. If you’ll be the lead singer, I’ll play keyboards'” …. a sound plan indeed. Originally named the Mustangs, the band soon realized that other groups had that name and came up with The Zombies. They started off with a bang when they won a ‘beat group’ competition organized by the London Evening News. The Zombies gained a local following and began recording for Decca Records. Their first hit, “She’s Not There“, written by Rod Argent, led to a record contract and brought them to the attention of a wider audience. Despite their initial success, the band experienced a period of decline and ultimately broke up. Before splitting, the band recorded the excellent and innovative album, Odessey And Oracle, which, ironically, spawned the huge hit single, “Time Of the Season” – a million-seller in the US and Japan – over a year after the band ceased to exist. At the same time, a group of musicians from Texas, including future members of ZZ Top, toured North America as The Zombies, capitalizing on the band’s popularity. In the 1990s, due in part to the fake band’s success, Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent re-formed The Zombies and reemerged as a popular touring act. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019 and are widely regarded for their musical influence, particularly on bands like The Kinks, The Left Banke, and Procol Harum. The Zombies continue to perform and record, with Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone the remaining key members. Their music, particularly the album Odessey and Oracle, is celebrated for its innovative sound and emotional depth.  Although relatively short lived, The Zombies made their mark on the music of the ‘80s. They added intelligence and subtlety to the ‘beat group’ format and produced music which still sounds fresh, interesting and entertaining today.

This is “She’s Not There” by the Zombies

From Odessey And Oracle, this is “Time Of the Season” by the Zombies

Well, my friends, the month of April is over as is the 2025 WordPress A To Z Challenge and my theme of “That’s Entertainment!”; I sincerely hope I kept you entertained throughout the month. This was an incredible experience for me; it was extremely gratifying to read your comments every day as the challenge progressed. Thank you all for sticking with me for the entire month and allowing me to bring wonderful music into your lives; it has been an absolute delight for me!

Until next time, see you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2025

All text and graphics are copyright for Nancy’s Notes 🖊️🎶, The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk, The Rhythm Section, et al., and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.

62 thoughts on “That’s Entertainment – Letter Z”

  4. The Zombies are another great pick, Nancy. I love both “She’s Not There” and “Time of the Season.” Congrats on completing the A-to-Z challenge. Perhaps one of these years I’ll participate. Unfortunately, current time restraints don’t make it feasible.

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    1. Thanks, Christian. They really are a great band with terrific songs.

      You’re right about the challenge being time consuming and it truly is a challenge but I’m glad I did it! Thanks for your great comments and support this month; I appreciate them both.

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  7. Congratulations on finishing the A to Z 2025! You chose a really fun topic and I enjoyed hearing some great music. I know I’ve missed a few, but hopefully will be checking in every so often to hear some more. 🙂

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    1. I don’t know about Colin Blunstone but rod Argent went on to form the group Argent (Hold Your Head Up). According to what I read, the Zombies are still performing, definitely with Blunstone and Argent, and occasionally with some of the other original members. I’m so glad you enjoyed following my challenge, Di. It was great fun. Thanks so much1

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  12. They had their own sound and I love it! Congrats for wheeling us around for the month of music (hands her a cool drink). I can’t think of anyone else who could accomplish this, especially with such classy and smart aplomb! 👏👏👏

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    1. What a gracious comment, Liz! Thank you so very much; I’ll take that cool drink, thanks! It’s called a ‘challenge’ for a reason …. it’s pretty demanding! I’m exhausted but very glad I participated. Thanks again for an incredibly lovely comment. ☺️

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  13. Had to be ZZ or the Zombies and I guessed correctly. I’m sure you were as taken with them as I when I was a kid. I guess I didn’t realize the band broke up before the release of Time of the Season, one of my favorites. Must have missed that issue of Teen Beat!

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    1. Hahaha! Teen Beat! Bill and I were having a similar conversation today. How simple our teen lives were without the constant bombardment of social media and instant information. We had to wait to hear news from our favorite DJs or read about it in the music magazines. Then we’d run to our friends and talk it up. What a great time that was! Thanks, my dear friend, for hanging with me all month!

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  16. Oh, beware of them scary “Zoombies”, which reminds of me of The Cranberries” and their emotionally charged hit “Zoombie”

    Meanwhile, down here in Aussieland we had the zingy rock band “Zoot” … you might enjoy their version of ‘Eleanor Rigby’ …

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      1. He’s an Aussie Rick Springfield … and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed your A-Z stories, Nancy … I didn’t to quite get them all, and I did well to do the “Z” one … I had a zoom meeting at 2.30 am for Susi’s new anthology launch … 😴📘😊

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          1. Haha, I’ve gone beyond empty, I’m now running on the hot-cross bun crumbs leftover from Easter and my adrenaline tank has vanished … 🤎🐶🌏😍🤗📘📖

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  17. A great choice for Z. The Zombies were very underrated, especially by their record company. In those days they issued sampler albums, cheap compilations hoping we’d buy the full albums. I had Time Of The Season on one of those!

    Thank you for this month. Your selections have been excellent, your write ups have been superb, and I have been hugely entertained. 👍

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    1. Do you still have that same sampler with Time of the Season? What a great collector’s item that is!

      My last group was either going to be ZZ Top or the Zombies; while I love ZZT, I have a real affinity for the Zombies; leaving them out would have felt wrong. The boys from Texas came into my life a bit later but the Zombies were there since I was 13. She’s Not There is such an iconic song, way ahead of its time and fabulously covered by Santana and Vanilla Fudge. And you’re right, Clive; the Zombies were terribly under-rated.

      Thanks so much for your extremely gracious comments; I’m delighted you were here for the entire month, enjoying my musical selections. I’m so pleased to know I kept you entertained! That was my ultimate goal. ☺️

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      1. Sadly, no, long since lost in various house moves. It probably would be worth a bit now. I had their full set, too.

        I’m pleased you went for The Zombies. I also like ZZ Top but I agree that they had less of an impact.

        You’re welcome on my final comment. You really have done a superb job with this series, and I have been very entertained and informed throughout.

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    1. Danke, Fred! Thank you for your very kind a gracious comments. You know the feeling when you paint that final brush stroke on the canvas and step back to admire your work? I had a similar experience when I finished the final day of the A To Z Challenge … a mixture of pride and relief. I know I did my very best and now it’s over. Danke, dass du hier bist, mein Freund.

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      1. Thank you, dear Nancy, for your kind words! Yes, the feeling of stepping back after the final brushstroke and looking at the finished work is a very special one. And you have musically represented an entire generation. Happy May Day!

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  19. You definitely entertained everyone Nancy, ….I’m listening (and singing along to) ‘she’s not there’ I enjoyed it all, 🎶🎶🎶🎶especially all the songs🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶…feeling quite sad now, …💫🤗💫💙💫

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    1. Don’t feel sad because it’s over, Penn; I’m not! I did my best and I feel drained. Now I need to play catch-up! Music will always be a big part of my blog so you won’t be getting rid of me that easily! Thanks for hanging with me all month during the challenge. It was my great pleasure to entertain you!

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  20. You certainly never disappoint us with your selections! Thanks for the time you spent writing up the background of the artists. But I have a feeling you aren’t finished giving us new treats to enjoy.

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