Blunstone

One of the Boys is the third studio solo album by the Who's lead vocalist, Roger Daltrey. It was first released in 1977, on Polydor in the UK, and MCA in the US. The sessions were recorded at the Who's Ramport Studios during the winter of 1976 (vocals were recorded at Pathe Marconi Studios in Paris, due to tax complications), and Daltrey allowed students from the local Battersea technical school to film them as an educational project. This also marked the first time that Daltrey had written or co-written a song since "Here For More" (released as the B-side of the Who's "The Seeker") in 1970, and Lisztomania in 1975. Daltrey's original choice for producers were Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, but they declined.

In 1969, the Zombies landed their biggest hit with the moody, light psychedelia of "Time of the Season," but it was too late for the group to enjoy it much, as they had been broken up for over a year when the track from Odessey and Oracle belatedly took off on American radio. However, no one in the record business will ever pass on an opportunity to follow up a hit, and since original members Rod Argent (keyboards) and Chris White (bass) had been writing songs together with a new group in mind, it took only so much persuading to get them to cut a few singles under the name the Zombies, most patterned after the languid but artful tone of Odessey and Oracle…

Of the literally dozens of memorable bands that emerged from the British Beat scene in the early to mid-'60s, the Zombies were one act that stood out: there was a smart, slightly arty aura to their clever and beautifully crafted melodies, superb vocal harmonies, and a distinct instrumental sound, highlighted by Rod Argent's keyboard work, often using electric piano to memorable effect. Even when the Zombies rocked out or sunk into a tough R&B groove, they could convey a keen intelligence along with their energy, and their more introspective moments gave them a sound and feel that was unique. As good as they were, the Zombies didn't have much luck on the charts - while "She's Not There" and "Tell Her No" were hits in 1965, most of their subsequent recordings attracted little notice on initial release, and some of the band's finest work was barely heard in its day…