08 Jul 2025
Legendary ‘sixties rock band The Zombies were back in their hometown of St Albans on Saturday for a double celebration.
Firstly, band members Rod Argent, Colin Blunstone, Chris White and Hugh Grundy visited The Pioneer Club – where they had their first rehearsal in 1961 – for the unveiling of a commemorative mural.
Fans of the group, famous for hits including She’s Not There and Time of the Season, raised the £2,000 it cost to be commissioned.
It was painted by graffiti artist Ant Steel, who also produced the historic mural in the city’s Sovereign Way.
He said: “Just three weeks ago I was painting a nightclub in Southend when I got a call from Cindy De Silva at Rocks Management in New York — she represents The Zombies. She asked if I could paint a mural at The Pioneer Club in St Albans before July 5. The band were holding a screening of their new documentary at The Odyssey Cinema, and they wanted to surprise the guys with a giant mural on the side of the venue where they’d once done their very first rehearsals.
“Being from St Albans, the band has a real connection to the place, so I jumped on a call with Cindy to chat through the creative direction. She wanted me to capture the band as they appeared on the cover of their debut album Begin Here, but I also brought in elements from their later work – especially the colours and patterns from Odyssey and Oracle. The idea was to show their journey: from where it all started to the psychedelic explosion their music evolved into – capturing not just the band, but the joy they’ve given to generations of fans.
“The mural was entirely funded by The Zombies’ official fan club, with donations coming in from around the world. Once the design was approved, I had less than a week to make it happen. I called in some mates to help me get a spider lift, got my kit together, and just started painting.
“It’s been an emotional ride. This mural really meant something – not just to me, but to the people who stopped by every day to watch it come to life. Kids on their way to school, locals telling me stories – it felt like a proper community moment. And best of all? I got to meet the band. Absolute gentlemen. Super talented. And they loved it – which means I can finally sleep again!”
Hugh Grundy said: “We’re honoured and privileged to be immortalised in what is a spectacular mural. Something I never expected in my lifetime.”
The Pioneer Club music and commercial director Jon Prayer said: “We were honoured and proud to be able to celebrate The Zombies and their connection to The Pioneer Club in such a great way. Ant is an incredible artist and has really captured the essence of the band in his mural.
“The Zombies had their first ever rehearsal as a band at The Pioneer Club in 1961. As a grassroots music venue and youth centre it was a lovely full circle moment for us that, during the unveiling of the incredible mural, we had children from Herts Music Service performing on the stage in the main room.”
After the mural ceremony, The Zombies headed to The Odyssey for a special screening of their new documentary ‘Hung up on a Dream’, which explores the band’s formation in the 1960s, reflecting on their musical path from teenage friends to legends in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
