The Zombies and Brian Wilson kick off one of the most anticipated tours of the year Saturday night at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Zombies singer Colin Blunstone says teaming up with the Beach Boys co-founder at this time of year is perfect.
Colin Blunstone says he’s that The Zombies are touring with Brian Wilson:
"Well, absolutely. It's the end of the summer and it's all over the States. I'm really looking forward it. I mean, The Beach Boys are one my all-time favorite bands."
Both The Zombies and Wilson have both worked with multi-instrumentalist Darien Sahanaja.
Colin Blunstone is familiar with Brian Wilson's band, one of whose members has worked with The Zombies:
"I know some of his band as well. And Darien Sahanaja, who plays with Brian, actually plays with The Zombies, when we play Odessey and Oracle -- and we're going to play Odessey and Oracle in its entirety. So, I believe Darien is going to be playing with both bands on this tour."
Blunstone says The Zombies have worked with both Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys. Brian was friends with Zombies guitarist Paul Atkinson, who enjoyed a successful second career as recording executive before being stricken with cancer.
Colin Blunstone says The Zombies played with The Beach Boys during the 1960s -- and with Brian at a benefit show for Zombies co-founder Paul Atkinson:
"But Brian wasn't with them. I know we were in Tennessee for a tour, and we met up with them and they played with us. And then, much much later, we played at a benefit for our original guitarist, who was very, very ill -- and he was friendly with Brian. Brian came along and played at that benefit. And The Zombies came as well."
The Zombies tour with Brian Wilson runs through September 26th in New York.