DEVON, England — Rod Argent, a founding member and pivotal figure of the legendary rock group The Zombies, has announced his retirement from touring after recently suffering a stroke. The 79-year-old musician had the stroke following his birthday and wedding anniversary celebrations, according to the band’s management.
Argent, who is the keyboardist and primary songwriter for The Zombies, had just completed a successful tour in the UK before the health scare. He and his wife, Cathy, had spent a weekend in London to mark his 79th birthday and their 52nd wedding anniversary when the stroke occurred.
After a brief hospital stay, Argent was discharged with recommendations to rest and recover for several months. Prior to the stroke, he had already planned to reduce his performance schedule after an upcoming fall tour, which was intended to be his final overseas tour. However, despite retiring from touring, Argent expressed his intention to continue recording music with The Zombies.
All future performances by The Zombies, with the exception of a festival in the UK scheduled for November, have been canceled, as confirmed by the band’s management. However, they are hopeful of organizing a special show in tribute to Argent and have urged fans to hold onto their tickets until new plans are announced.
Argent’s association with The Zombies spans several decades, aside from a brief break in 1975 to spend time with his family. He was convinced to return to the band by singer Colin Blunstone in 1999 and continued performing with them for the next 25 years.
The Zombies, known for their significant contribution to the British Invasion of the 1960s, have a repertoire of hits including “She’s Not There,” “Tell Her No,” and “Time of the Season.” The band, formed by Argent alongside Paul Atkinson, Hugh Grungy, Paul Arnold, and Blunstone, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.