The Zombies were part of the historic “British Invasion” that steam rolled America in the mid 1960s.
As was the case with many of those English acts, the band from the London suburb of St. Albans was often the target of frenetic, screaming girls.
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“It was the heritage of the Beatles, I think, really,” Chris White, an original Zombies member, said in a phone interview this month. “I mean, it was quite unusual. We didn’t expect it, and it was very thrilling and tiring, of course, but at least we were young in those days.”
As it turns out, the Zombies still have the zest to hit the road in 2015, and kick out a new studio album.
White and his mates play Merrillville’s Star Plaza Theatre at 8 p.m. Friday. On hand will be founding members Colin Blunstone, vocals, and keyboardist Rod Argent, who fronted the band Argent — known for “Hold Your Head Up,” a Top 10 hit in 1972.
Additionally, the currently touring Zombies also boast original member Hugh Grundy on drums.
“It feels marvelous,” White, a bassist and songwriter, said in regard to being on a United States tour that launched Sept. 30 in Texas, and is loaded with October dates.
Now 72, White no longer has the benefit of youth when it comes to being on the road.
“But the energy comes when you get onstage and the adrenaline starts flowing,” the rocker assured.
Also providing a boost, said White, is “the excitement” of performing “Odessey and Oracle” — the band’s acclaimed 1968 album — in its entirety on tour.
“We never performed this piece of work since we recorded it, really: It’s like a premiere, 47 years late, really,” said White, noting that his songwriting was utilized on seven of the album’s 12 cuts.
“Odessey and Oracle” features the sultry “Time of the Season,” which has been sampled by hip-hop star Eminem.
“Odessey and Oracle” is termed a “masterpiece” by Rolling Stone magazine, which placed it at No. 100 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time.”
Ironically, the Zombies had already disbanded by the time the album was released. White and company left their contribution to baroque-tinged music before breaking up.
The band had enjoyed Top 10 success in America with 1965’s “Tell Her No,” which was preceded in 1964 by an even bigger hit, “She’s Not There.”
Haunting, with swank keyboard work, “She’s Not There” is a song that White likes because of its “unusual construction” and “its rhythms.”
The song also showcases Blunstone’s breathy vocals.
“Rod (Argent) wrote that one, and I thought it was a piece of genius, to be quite honest,” White said “It’s covered so much, as well.”
Santana reached the Top 30 in 1977 with its version of “She’s Not There.”
The Zombies hope to create more coveted material with this month’s unveiling of “Still Got That Hunger” — an album released by The End Records — a Brooklyn-based label.
No matter how the album does, the Zombies will always have a fan in Chicago musician Phil Angotti.
Zombies songs are dished by his group Beechwood Park — named after a track off of “Odessey and Oracle.”
Angotti’s cover band served up the whole album last year at Martyrs, a Chicago club.
“The Zombies had a bit of a jazz style to their music, which I thought was really cool,” said Angotti, a singer-guitarist who used to live in Hammond.
Angotti, 54, also said he was influenced by Blunstones vocals: “His style is very unique.”
Additionally, Angotti hails the composing talents of White and Argent: “They just wrote great pop songs.”
One of Whites more notable compositions is “I Love You,” a catchy, deep-toned ode that was a Top 20 hit for People in 1968.
That was a long time ago, but over the past three years, the Zombies have enjoyed a resurgence.
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During that period, the band has undertaken two United Kingdom tours and several U.S. tours, which included appearances at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, and New York City’s Central Park.
The Zombies unusual, original name hasn’t hurt its efforts at attention over the years.
White said his band kind of viewed it as “a temporary name” — but it’s lasted more than 50 years.
The heyday of the Zombies is viewed as a “fantastic time” by White, who points to the musical “heroes” he and his colleagues were fortunate enough to encounter along the way.
White said that, in some ways, those good times live on: “It hasn’t stopped in my mind, really.”
Bob Kostanczuk is a freelance writer.
The Zombies
Where: Star Plaza Theatre, U.S. 30 and Interstate 65, Merrillville
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Tickets: $35 and $50
Information: 219-769-6311, ext. 5463; www.starplazatheatre.com