08 Nov 2024
Today sees the start of the second Zombies Begin Here Festival – a packed weekend celebrating the pioneering sixties band’s connection to St Albans.
The event includes a special panel with original band member Chris White in the Lady Chapel at the Cathedral, which is now set to be introduced by St Albans Mayor Cllr Jamie Day on Friday afternoon.
High Sheriff of Herts Annie Brewster will be introducing Zombies Colin, Chris and Hugh in the Alban Room of the Cathedral on the Saturday. That panel will be followed by Keith Atkinson, brother of the late Paul Atkinson, reminiscing about Paul and the band during the ‘60s, and his legacy as a record executive at CBS -discovering and signing ABBA & Mr Mister – after The Zombies broke up.
The band will also be attending a signing at Empire Records in Heritage Close at 1pm on the Saturday afternoon.
There will be a drums workshop at The Farmer’s Boy on the Sunday at 3pm, featuring original Zombies drummer Hugh Grundy and current drummer Steve Rodford, a St Albans native whose dad was the late Jim and played with the Zombies.
The Horn will be hosting a Battle of the Bands, with the finals taking place at the pub on November 10 from 5.10pm.
Throughout the weekend, Collective Gallery & Art Project Space at 18 Holywell Hill will be serving as Zombies HQ, selling merchandise including art by Vivienne Boucherat, wife of Chris White, and jewellery by Cara Rodford-King.
For further information and tickets, visit www.thezombiesmusic.com/beginherefestival2024
