Rod Argent, a founding member and key figure of the iconic rock group The Zombies, has decided to retire from touring following a recent stroke. The band’s management shared the news on social media, revealing that the 79-year-old musician had suffered a stroke after celebrating his birthday and wedding anniversary.
Argent, who is the band’s keyboardist and primary songwriter, had just returned from a successful UK tour with The Zombies. He spent a celebratory weekend in London with his wife, Cathy, marking his 79th birthday and their 52nd wedding anniversary, when the stroke occurred.
Following a brief hospital stay, Argent was discharged with instructions to rest and recuperate for several months. Prior to his health scare, the musician had already planned to reduce his performance schedule after an upcoming tour this fall, which was set to be his final overseas tour. Despite stepping back from touring, Argent intends to continue recording music with The Zombies.
The band’s management has confirmed that all future performances, barring a festival scheduled for November in the UK, will be canceled. However, they expressed hope to organize a special show in honor of Argent and urged fans to retain their tickets until new plans are announced.
Argent’s career with The Zombies spans several decades, with a brief hiatus in 1975 when he took a break from touring to spend time with his family. He was persuaded to return to the band by singer Colin Blunstone in 1999 and continued to perform with them for the next 25 years.
The Zombies, a prominent figure in the British Invasion of the 1960s, are known for hits such as “She’s Not There,” “Tell Her No,” and “Time of the Season.” The band, which Argent formed with Paul Atkinson, Hugh Grungy, Paul Arnold, and Blunstone, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.