Rod Argent, founder, keyboardist, and songwriter of The Zombies, is retiring from touring. In a statement from the band’s longtime management team, Argent revealed that he recently suffered a stroke, prompting his decision to step back.
The 79-year-old artist was hospitalized for the stroke and released the following day, but will spend the next few months resting and recuperating. All upcoming Zombies tour dates have been canceled, but the band’s celebratory, second annual Begin Here Festival, which takes place in St. Albans in the UK, will remain as scheduled in November.
Fans who have already purchased tickets to previously scheduled, now-canceled gigs are encouraged to hold on to their tickets for the time being, as Argent’s bandmates are hoping to design a series of tribute shows for their friend.
“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,” the statement reads. “He was already preparing to wind down his live performance schedule after health scares on recent tours… However, the stroke was an unmistakable warning sign that the risks are too great.”
In 2023, The Zombies embarked on a North American tour, and the statement mentions that the band had been considering a 2024 farewell trek timed to celebrate their 1964 arrival in America. The Zombies were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.
Fans of the band shouldn’t be too worried, though — Argent is still planning to stay involved in The Zombies in every way other than live performance. “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,’” the statement reads.
Later this year, fans can also look forward to a documentary about the band, titled Hung Up on a Dream. The Robert Schwartzman-directed project is slated for both theatrical and streaming releases.