The Zombies fans from across the globe fund new St Albans mural
Lead singer Colin Blunstone said the artwork "perfectly captures the spirit of the original band in the mid 1960s" and cemented The Zombies' "lifetime connection" with their hometown.Keyboardist Rod Argent added the whole band was "very moved to see this beautiful mural".Steve Rossi, who co-runs The Zombies fan club, said fans had been looking for a way to honour the band in their home town for some time.The club had previously led campaigns to get the band back into US and UK charts, as well as an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.He said: "This was about the Zombies community coming together once again to honour our band."The full total raised, £2,712 ($3,700), was passed to the band's US-based management who organised the painting of the mural.
Artist Ant Steel, from Norwich, admitted it was a tight turn around but was proud of his involvement, especially as the unveiling event was attended by American news broadcasters and fans from Japan."I know how much it means to so many fans across the globe, I feel really happy and honoured they chose me," he said.The mural is based on the cover of their 1965 debut album Begin Here, combined with the psychedelic colours of their acclaimed second release, Odessey and Oracle, from 1968. "Mixing the two together shows the joy and happiness they brought to their fans over the years," Steel explained.
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