The Zombies opened their 2018 American tour Tuesday night with a poignant but powerful set.
In the first of three straight sold-out shows at New York's City Winery, the British rock veterans opened with their take on Bo Diddley's "Road Runner" and Burt Bacharach's "The Look of Love." They followed with their own material, from the lesser known "I Want You Back Again" and "Sanctuary," to the tried and true "Tell Her No," "Time of the Season" and "She's Not There."
Founding members Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone both paid tribute to bassist Jim Rodford, who died five weeks ago. While Argent admitted it felt strange without his cousin and close pal Rodford playing alongside his keyboard, newcomer Soren Koch(rhymes with rock) proved a capable replacement -- especially since the band had just one full rehearsal after his successful audition.
The show ended with Argent's "God Gave Rock and Roll to You," dedicated to Rodford, who played in that '70s band before joining The Kinks and since the millennium, The Zombies.