Paul Ashley Warren Atkinson (19 March 1946 – 1 April 2004) was a British guitarist and record company executive, best known as a founding member of the pop/rock band The Zombies.

[2][3] At St Albans, Atkinson met Rod Argent and Hugh Grundy, and the three formed a band initially called the Mustangs, later changed to The Zombies.

Despite his recommendation, James refused to sign her, prompting Atkinson to leave the company and, along with Grundy, join CBS Records UK as an A&R man in 1972.

[citation needed] In January 2004 Atkinson received the President's Merit Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences at a benefit concert at the House of Blues in Los Angeles.

[citation needed] Atkinson died at the age of 58 in a Santa Monica hospital due to liver and kidney disease on 1 April 2004.