Summary
Rob Zombie is an American musician, filmmaker, and writer who first rose to fame as the founder and lead singer of the heavy metal band White Zombie in the 1990s. He was born Robert Bartleh Cummings on January 12, 1965, in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and he attended Parsons School of Design in New York City before pursuing a career in music.
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Table of Contents
White Zombie was active from 1985 to 1998 and released several successful albums, including “La Sexorcisto: Devil Music Volume One” and “Astro-Creep: 2000”. After the band disbanded, Zombie embarked on a solo music career and has released several albums, including “Hellbilly Deluxe” and “Educated Horses”.
In addition to his music career, Zombie is also a successful filmmaker. He made his directorial debut with the horror film “House of 1000 Corpses” in 2003, and has since directed several other horror films, including “The Devil’s Rejects”, “Halloween”, and “31”. He is known for his distinctive visual style and for incorporating elements of horror, gore, and exploitation films into his work.
Zombie is also a writer and has published several comic books and a novel, “The Lords of Salem”. He has been a prominent figure in the heavy metal and horror communities for over two decades and continues to produce music and films to this day.
Early life
Rob Zombie was born Robert Bartleh Cummings on January 12, 1965, in Haverhill, Massachusetts, USA. He grew up in a working-class family and was the oldest of three children. As a child, he was interested in horror films and comic books, which would later influence his work as a musician and filmmaker.
Zombie attended Haverhill High School, where he formed his first band, a punk rock group called the “Lords of Salem”. After high school, he briefly attended Parsons School of Design in New York City but dropped out to pursue a career in music.
In the mid-1980s, Zombie formed the band White Zombie with his girlfriend at the time, Sean Yseult, and the band gained a following in the New York City underground music scene. The band’s early music was influenced by punk and heavy metal, and they gained a reputation for their high-energy live shows and Zombie’s distinctive stage presence.
White Zombie’s success led to a recording contract with Geffen Records, and the band released several successful albums throughout the 1990s. Zombie’s interest in horror and exploitation films was also evident in the band’s music videos and album artwork, which often featured imagery from B-movies and horror films.
Career
Rob Zombie’s career has been diverse and spans multiple fields, including music, film, and writing.
As a musician, Zombie first gained fame as the founder and lead singer of the heavy metal band White Zombie. The band’s music was a unique blend of punk, metal, and industrial music, and they released several successful albums throughout the 1990s, including “La Sexorcisto: Devil Music Volume One” and “Astro-Creep: 2000”. After White Zombie disbanded in 1998, Zombie embarked on a successful solo career, releasing several albums that combined elements of metal, industrial, and electronic music.
As a filmmaker, Zombie made his directorial debut with the horror film “House of 1000 Corpses” in 2003. He has since directed several other horror films, including “The Devil’s Rejects”, “Halloween”, and “31”. His films often incorporate elements of exploitation cinema and pay homage to classic horror films. In addition to directing, Zombie has also written and produced several of his films.
Zombie is also a writer and has published several comic books, including “The Haunted World of El Superbeasto” and “Spookshow International”. He has also written a novel, “The Lords of Salem”, which was later adapted into a film.
Throughout his career, Zombie has been known for his distinctive visual style, which often includes elements of horror, gore, and pop culture references. He has been a prominent figure in the heavy metal and horror communities for over two decades and continues to produce music and films to this day.
1985–1998: White Zombie
In 1985, Rob Zombie formed White Zombie along with his girlfriend at the time, Sean Yseult. The band’s early music was a mix of punk rock and metal, with influences from horror movies and imagery. White Zombie quickly gained a following in the underground music scene in New York City, and the band’s debut album, “Soul-Crusher,” was released in 1987.
Over the next decade, White Zombie released several more albums, including “Make Them Die Slowly,” “La Sexorcisto: Devil Music Volume One,” and “Astro-Creep: 2000.” These albums helped establish the band as one of the most popular and influential heavy metal bands of the 1990s, and they were known for their unique sound, which combined elements of heavy metal, punk, and industrial music.
Zombie’s visual style was also an important part of White Zombie’s success. The band’s music videos and album artwork often featured horror and sci-fi imagery, which helped to create a distinctive brand for the band. White Zombie’s music was also featured in several popular movies and TV shows, including “Beavis and Butt-head” and “The Crow.”
In 1998, after more than a decade of touring and recording, White Zombie disbanded. Zombie went on to launch a successful solo career, while other members of the band went on to pursue other musical projects. Despite their relatively short career, White Zombie remains an important and influential band in the history of heavy metal and alternative music.
1998–2001: Solo debut and commercial success
After White Zombie disbanded in 1998, Rob Zombie launched a successful solo career with his debut album, “Hellbilly Deluxe: 13 Tales of Cadaverous Cavorting Inside the Spookshow International,” which was released in 1998. The album was a commercial success, reaching #5 on the Billboard 200 chart and spawning several hit singles, including “Dragula” and “Living Dead Girl.”
Zombie’s solo music continued to draw from his love of horror and sci-fi, with the album featuring samples from classic horror movies and sound effects to enhance the spooky and atmospheric sound. The album also featured contributions from several notable musicians, including guitarist Danny Lohner and drummer Tommy Lee.
Zombie’s success as a solo artist continued with the release of his second album, “The Sinister Urge,” in 2001. The album debuted at #8 on the Billboard 200 chart and featured hit singles like “Never Gonna Stop (The Red Red Kroovy)” and “Demon Speeding.” Like his debut album, “The Sinister Urge” showcased Zombie’s unique blend of heavy metal, industrial, and electronic music.
During this time, Zombie also continued to work on other projects, including writing and directing the horror film “House of 1000 Corpses,” which was released in 2003. The film was a critical and commercial success, and it helped establish Zombie as a filmmaker in addition to his successful music career.
2002–2006: Marriage, directorial debut, and continued musical success
In 2002, Rob Zombie married Sheri Moon Zombie, an actress and performer who had appeared in several of his music videos and would go on to become a regular collaborator in his film and music work.
In 2003, Zombie made his directorial debut with the horror film “House of 1000 Corpses,” which had been in development for several years. The film was produced by Universal Studios but ultimately shelved due to its graphic content, which was deemed too intense for release. The film was later picked up by Lionsgate Films and released in 2003 to critical acclaim and box office success, grossing over $16 million worldwide.
While working on the film, Zombie also continued to make music. In 2003, he released the album “The Sinister Urge,” which was well-received by fans and critics and included hit singles like “Never Gonna Stop (The Red Red Kroovy)” and “Demon Speeding.” Zombie also embarked on a successful tour in support of the album.
In 2006, Zombie released his third solo album, “Educated Horses,” which continued his blend of heavy metal, industrial, and electronic music. The album received mixed reviews from critics, but still debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200 chart and included hit singles like “Foxy Foxy” and “American Witch.” Zombie also continued to tour extensively in support of the album.
During this period, Zombie also continued to work on other film projects, including writing and directing the horror film “The Devil’s Rejects,” which was released in 2005 and served as a sequel to “House of 1000 Corpses.” The film was another critical and commercial success, further cementing Zombie’s status as a prominent filmmaker in the horror genre.
2007–2009: Focus on film work
In 2007, Rob Zombie announced that he would be taking a break from music to focus on his film career. He directed a remake of the classic horror film “Halloween,” which was released in 2007 to mixed reviews but was a box office success. The film was a reimagining of the original “Halloween” film, which was directed by John Carpenter in 1978.
Zombie’s “Halloween” remake was followed by a sequel, “Halloween II,” which was released in 2009. The film received mixed reviews, but Zombie continued to push the boundaries of the horror genre with his unique visual style and willingness to explore dark and controversial subject matter.
During this period, Zombie also worked on several other film projects, including writing and directing the animated film “The Haunted World of El Superbeasto” and contributing to the screenplay for the horror film “The Blob.” He also made a cameo appearance in the 2009 Quentin Tarantino film “Inglourious Basterds.”
While taking a break from music, Zombie continued to build his reputation as a director and writer in the horror genre, and his distinctive style and approach to storytelling helped to cement his place as one of the most influential and innovative filmmakers of his generation.
2010–2015: New label and return to music
In 2010, Rob Zombie signed a new record deal with Roadrunner Records, and in 2013, he released his fifth solo album, “Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor.” The album debuted at #7 on the Billboard 200 chart and received positive reviews from critics. It continued Zombie’s signature blend of heavy metal, industrial, and electronic music and included hit singles like “Dead City Radio and the New Gods of Supertown” and “We’re An American Band,” a cover of the Grand Funk Railroad classic.
Zombie embarked on a successful tour in support of the album, which included a co-headlining tour with rock band Korn.
During this period, Zombie also continued to work on film projects. In 2012, he wrote and directed the horror film “The Lords of Salem,” which was released to mixed reviews. He also directed a commercial for Woolite laundry detergent that aired during the 2012 Super Bowl.
In 2014, Zombie released a concert film and live album titled “The Zombie Horror Picture Show,” which documented his 2013 tour in support of “Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor.” The film received positive reviews and showcased Zombie’s dynamic stage presence and energetic performances.
Overall, the period from 2010 to 2015 marked a successful return to music for Zombie, as well as continued exploration and experimentation in the horror genre through his film and commercial work.
2016–present: More albums and upcoming films
Since 2016, Rob Zombie has continued to release music and tour extensively. In 2016, he released his sixth solo album, “The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser,” which debuted at #6 on the Billboard 200 chart and included hit singles like “Well, Everybody’s Fucking in a U.F.O.” and “The Hideous Exhibitions of a Dedicated Gore Whore.”
Zombie followed up with the 2018 album “Astro-Creep: 2000 Live,” which was a live recording of a performance of the classic White Zombie album “Astro-Creep: 2000” from 2016.
In addition to his music work, Zombie has continued to work on film projects. In 2019, he wrote and directed the horror film “3 From Hell,” a sequel to his earlier films “House of 1000 Corpses” and “The Devil’s Rejects.” The film was released to mixed reviews, but still showcased Zombie’s unique visual style and approach to storytelling.
Zombie has several upcoming film projects in the works, including a remake of the classic 1960s television series “The Munsters,” which he will write, produce, and direct. He has also expressed interest in directing a new film based on the Marvel Comics character The Blob.
Overall, Rob Zombie’s career has spanned several decades and has encompassed a wide range of creative pursuits, including music, film, and visual art. He has become known for his distinctive style and approach to storytelling, as well as his willingness to push the boundaries of the horror genre and explore the controversial subject matter.
Personal life
Rob Zombie has been married to Sheri Moon Zombie since 2002. Sheri is an actress, model, and dancer who has appeared in many of Zombie’s films, including “House of 1000 Corpses,” “The Devil’s Rejects,” and “Halloween.” The couple first met on the set of the music video for Zombie’s song “Dragula.”
Zombie is known for his love of horror films and has cited directors like George A. Romero and Dario Argento as major influences on his work. He is also a collector of horror film memorabilia and has even opened his own haunted attraction, the Great American Nightmare, in California.
In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, Zombie is also an advocate for animal rights and has been involved in campaigns to promote animal welfare and end animal cruelty. He has worked with organizations like the Humane Society of the United States and PETA to raise awareness about animal rights issues and encourage people to adopt pets from shelters rather than buying them from breeders.
List of all Rob Zombie Movies
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer | Music Department | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | House of 1000 Corpses | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Co-composer |
| 2005 | The Devil’s Rejects | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 2007 | Halloween | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Music supervisor |
| Werewolf Women of the SS | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Faux-trailer for Grindhouse | |
| 2009 | Halloween II | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Music supervisor |
| The Haunted World of El Superbeasto | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Direct-to-DVD | |
| 2012 | The Lords of Salem | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 2014 | The Zombie Horror Picture Show | Yes | No | No | Yes | Performer Concert film |
| 2016 | 31 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Co-composer |
| 2019 | 3 from Hell | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Executive music producer |
| 2022 | The Munsters | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
