The singer who found his true identity through a hidden family secret
In short: Before he became the voice of the Zombies, Colin Blunstone lived a life shaped by a secret. He discovered his true parentage only when he was nearly 30, learning that the woman he called 'aunt' was actually his biological mother, the result of a wartime affair.
Born on 24 June 1945 in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, Blunstone was raised by Arthur and Dorothy Blunstone. For most of his life, he believed he was their biological son, unaware that his birth mother had sought refuge with the couple to hide her pregnancy from her family. The truth stayed concealed until Blunstone approached his 30th birthday, at which point his 'aunt' disclosed having a short-lived romance with an American soldier during WWII. His father had been wounded in France before being sent back to the United States. This complex family history was kept from him until his late twenties.
His musical journey began in the early 1960s when he was recruited by classmate Paul Arnold to join a group that would become the Zombies. Though originally intended as a rhythm guitarist—arriving at his first rehearsal with two black eyes from a rugby match—he eventually became the band's lead vocalist. His voice was cited as a primary factor in the success of the band's worldwide hit, "She's Not There." He initially attended St Albans County Grammar School for Boys. During his early years, he enjoyed listening to Radio Luxembourg on his radio.
Blunstone's career has spanned more than 60 years, including a solo career that began in 1969 under the pseudonym Neil MacArthur. He has released ten studio albums under his own name and has been a recurring guest vocalist for the Alan Parsons Project between 1978 and 1985. His impact on rock music gained formal acknowledgement in 2019, when he joined the Zombies in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His solo discography includes several releases on the Rocket Record Company label. Additionally, he has contributed vocals to various albums by the Alan Parsons Project.
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