St Albans looms large in The Zombies’ story, from the Blacksmith’s Arms Pub, where the five St Albans students first met to form a band, to the Cathedral itself, where keyboardist and songwriter Rod Argent began his musical career as a boy chorister.

Now a rare acoustic piano and vocal performance by founders of the 1960s band will take place within the hallowed ancient Nave of St Albans Cathedral. Joined by a guest string quintet, this intimate evening of music will span the iconic musicians’ five-decade careers.

Rod will be joined by lead singer Colin Blunstone who says: “Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined such a breathtaking opportunity.”

The Zombies infiltrated the airwaves with the sophisticated melodies, breathy vocals, choral back-up harmonies and jazzy keyboard riffs of their 1960s hit singles like She’s Not There and Tell Her No.

Ironically, the group broke-up in 1968 just before achieving huge success with the chart-topping single Time of the Season, from their swan-song album Odessey & Oracle - recently ranked number 97 by Mojo and number 100 by Rolling Stone in their Greatest Albums of All Time lists.

Generations of new bands have cited The Zombies’ work as pop touchstones, including such artists as Neko Case and Nick Cave who have recorded She’s Not There for the popular HBO series True Blood.

Rod and Colin reunited in 2000 with a new Zombies line-up, which has now come full circle with the October 2015 release of Still Got That Hunger. Now they return to where it all began.

St Albans Cathedral, St Albans, AL1 1BY, Friday, October 21. Details: 01727 890290