The Zombies were one of the most distinctive bands of the 1960s British Invasion, known for their jazz-infused chords, haunting melodies, and sophisticated songwriting. Formed in 1961 in St Albans, England, the band—led by vocalist Colin Blunstone and keyboardist Rod Argent—crafted a unique sound that set them apart from their contemporaries. Despite early success with hits like “She’s Not There” and “Tell Her No,” the group struggled to achieve sustained commercial momentum.

By 1967, The Zombies had recorded their magnum opus, Odessey and Oracle, an album that would later be regarded as one of the greatest of the era. However, upon its release in 1968, the record was largely ignored, leading to the band’s premature breakup. Ironically, it was only after their dissolution that Odessey and Oracle found its audience—primarily due to the unexpected success of “Time of the Season.” Initially overlooked, the track became a sleeper hit in 1969 when it climbed the U.S. charts, eventually reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. By then, The Zombies no longer existed, leaving them unable to capitalize on the song’s delayed triumph.

The Initial Struggles

Despite their early breakthrough with “She’s Not There” in 1964, The Zombies struggled to maintain commercial success in the years that followed. Their second hit, “Tell Her No,” kept them in the spotlight briefly, but subsequent singles failed to chart as strongly. Unlike some of their British Invasion peers—such as The Beatles or The Rolling Stones—The Zombies had a more refined, jazz-influenced sound that didn’t always align with mainstream rock trends. This, combined with management issues and poor promotion, left the band in a precarious position by the mid-’60s.

Determined to make a definitive artistic statement, the band self-funded the recording of Odessey and Oracle in 1967. Produced at Abbey Road Studios with a Mellotron-heavy, psychedelic sound, the album showcased The Zombies at their creative peak. However, when it was released in April 1968, it was met with indifference. Columbia Records initially refused to release it in the U.S., and in the UK, sales were disappointing. Disheartened by their inability to gain traction, The Zombies disbanded before the album had a chance to find an audience.

Unexpected Hit

By the time “Time of the Season” started gaining traction, The Zombies no longer existed. The band had called it quits in late 1967, disheartened by the commercial failure of Odessey and Oracle. They had no plans to reunite, and its members had already moved on—Rod Argent was forming his new band, Argent, while Colin Blunstone stepped away from music altogether.

But in 1969, nearly two years after it was recorded, “Time of the Season” began to take off in the U.S. Thanks to persistent promotion by Al Kooper, a Columbia Records executive who had championed Odessey and Oracle, the song started receiving steady radio airplay. Its hypnotic bassline, atmospheric organ, and Blunstone’s breathy vocals resonated with American listeners, particularly as the counterculture movement peaked.

The track steadily climbed the Billboard Hot 100, eventually reaching No. 3. It also became a favorite on underground FM radio, ensuring its longevity beyond just the charts. While The Zombies were no longer around to capitalize on the moment, the song’s belated success cemented Odessey and Oracle as a lost classic—one that would only grow in stature in the decades to come.

Missed Opportunities and Frustration

The success of “Time of the Season” in 1969 should have been a career-defining moment for The Zombies. Instead, it became a frustrating case of bad timing. With the band already disbanded, there was no group to tour, promote the hit, or record a follow-up. This led to confusion among fans and promoters, with impostor bands even touring under The Zombies’ name to cash in on the song’s sudden popularity.

By the time offers for live performances and new record deals came in, Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone had already moved on. Argent had formed his own band, Argent, finding success in the early ’70s with “Hold Your Head Up.” Blunstone, after briefly stepping away from music, launched a solo career marked by critically acclaimed but modestly selling albums. Despite their individual successes, neither was able to fully leverage the momentum that “Time of the Season” had created.

The moment had passed, and The Zombies’ name faded into rock history—at least for the time being. While the song continued to grow in popularity over the years, its late success left a lingering question: what could The Zombies have achieved if they had stayed together just a little longer?