The Zimmers

Infobox musical artist
Name =


Img_capt =
Img_size =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = United Kingdom
Instrument =
Genre = Rock
Years_active = 2007–present
Label =
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.thezimmersonline.com The Zimmers Online]
Current_members = Around 50 People
Past_members =

The Zimmers are a British band, and thought to have the oldest members in the world: [cite web| title = Power To The People: The Great Granny Chart Invasion | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/power_to_the_people/6615695.stm | accessdae = 2007-05-28] the lead singer, Alf, is 90, and the oldest member, Buster, is 101. They take their name from the "Zimmer frame" (the British name for a walking frame).

The band was created as a feature in a BBC Television documentary, which was first broadcast on 28 May 2007.cite web| title = Rock elders aim for chart success| url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6549333.stm | accessdate = 2007-04-18] The feature of forming the band and recording a single was intended to give a voice to the feelings of isolation and imprisonment suffered by the elderly.

The Zimmers' logo is a parody of The Beatles' logo, as is the image of them walking across Abbey Road. In September 2008, the band released its first full-length album 'Lust for Life', featuring cover versions ofsongs by Eric Clapton, The Beatles and Frank Sinatra. [cite web|url=http://www.meeja.com.au/index.php?display_article_id=254 |title=Geriatric rockers live long enough to release long-play |publisher=www.meeja.com.au |date=2008-09-23 |accessdate=2008-09-23 ]

Discography

The Zimmers have released one single, a cover of The Who's "My Generation", reaching #26 in the UK Singles Chart, on 28 May 2007. The song was produced by Mike Hedges, the video shot by Geoff Wonfor, and it was recorded in the Beatles Studio 2 at Abbey Road. [cite web| title=Talkin' 'bout OUR generation| url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=448045&in_page_id=1773| publisher=Daily Mail|accessdate = 2007-04-18]

On 13 July 2007, during the "Richard & Judy" show, The Zimmers announced their next single, a cover of The Prodigy's "Firestarter". [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7661275.stm|title=What The Zimmers did next|date=2008-10-09|accessdate=2008-10-10|publisher=BBC.co.uk|last=Samuels|first=Tim]

BBC documentary

Documentary-maker Tim Samuels travelled Britain, investigating the feelings of isolation and imprisonment suffered by the country's elderly, as part of the BBC's "Power to the People" series. [cite web|title=Power to the People - a three-part series of mischievous documentaries |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/power_to_the_people/about_the_series/default.stm |accessdate=2007-05-29] Samuels recruits pensioners otherwise stuck in institutions and towerblocks, and they air their grievances, culminating in the recording of the group's first single, where the group "sticks it back to the society that has cast them aside".

References

External links

* [http://www.thezimmersonline.com Official Website]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/content/articles/2007/05/30/legs_zimmers_feature.shtml BBC Gloucestershire interview with The Zimmers]