The Zombies

United Kingdom, 1961–1969

British band of Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone. Odessey and Oracle (1968) is a central record of baroque pop, using close harmony, keyboard textures and studio arrangement.

MusicRoots documents 4 artists who influenced The Zombies and 2 artists The Zombies influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced The Zombies?

• The Beatles — The Beatles inspired The Zombies to make Odessey and Oracle as a complete artistic statement.
• Ray Charles — Ray Charles was Rod Argent's piano hero — the soul touch he was always reaching for.
• Bob Dylan — Dylan influenced the lyrical seriousness evident in The Zombies' later work.
• Big Mama Thornton — Argent traced 'Hound Dog' back from Elvis to Thornton, and built on what he found.

Which artists did The Zombies influence?

• Neutral Milk Hotel — The Zombies' baroque 1960s pop is among the vintage touchstones behind Neutral Milk Hotel's songcraft.
• The Shins — The Zombies' baroque, minor-key '60s pop is among the psych-pop roots feeding the Shins.