The Zombies Founder Rod Argent Announces Retirement From Touring Following Stroke
Friday, 12 July 2024
Written by Jon Stickler
Photo: Alex Lake
Rod Argent, founder of The Zombies, has announced his retirement from touring.
The primary songwriter, keyboardist, and founder of the British '60s rock group will immediately retire from the road after suffering a stroke. The news was announced in a statement from The Zombies' management company posted to social media:
"We are saddened to report that Rod Argent, founder, keyboardist and primary songwriter of The Zombies, has suffered a stroke. Rod had recently returned home from a triumphant Zombies tour of the UK, and spent a weekend in London with his beloved wife Cathy, celebrating his 79th birthday and their 52nd wedding anniversary, before the stroke occurred. He was hospitalized overnight, and released the next day. Doctors have advised that Rod will need several months of rest and recuperation.
"Rod has asked us to convey that he has made the very difficult decision to immediately retire from touring in order to protect his health. He was already preparing to wind down his live performance schedule after health scares on recent tours (a Fall 2024 USA run was in the works that was intended to be his final overseas tour, and a farewell to the country that launched The Zombies’ career in 1964). However, the stroke was an unmistakable warning sign that the risks are too great. Rod still firmly intends to continue his other creative joy of writing and recording with The Zombies, and has already been back at his piano for some much-needed “Bach therapy”.
Famous for the hits She's Not There and Time Of The Season, the influential band wrapped up their 60 Years On Tape Tour of the UK in June. As mentioned in the statement, their US dates scheduled for later this year have been scrapped.
Their annual Begin Here Festival is still set to go on ahead in November in St Albans, with organizers looking to replace The Zombies with a performance honouring Argent. Details are to be confirmed in due course.
The Zombies founder Rod Argent recovering from a stroke;
Announces retirement from touring pic.twitter.com/beaM6twHpc
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