The Zombies’ Rod Argent provides health update following stroke
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(Credits: Alex Lake)
After being forced to retire from playing live with The Zombies after suffering a stroke, Rod Argent has provided fans with a health update and said he is “absolutely overwhelmed by the outpouring of love”.
Last week, The Zombies revealed they had taken the decision to pull all of their dates planned for this summer due to Argent’s stroke. Along with co-founding vocalist Colin Blunstone, Argent lead a line-up also including Steve Rodford, Tom Toomey, and Søren Koch. Over recent years, the British Invasion band have enjoyed a fruitful renaissance, but now, the future of The Zombies looks up in the air.
Most importantly, Argent is making a recovery despite his health woes, and although he’ll be unable to perform anytime soon, the singer isn’t prepared to fully wave goodbye to the music industry.
In a statement on July 11th, the band’s management previously said: “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.”
While he was released from hospital the day after the stroke, Argent was advised by medical experts they he “will need several months of rest and recuperation”. Therefore, for the sake of his health, he immediately decided to retire from touring.
Although The Zombies will not play any festivals this summer, they will make a return to the stage at the second annual Begin Here Festival in St Albans this coming November.
Now, in a positive update with fans, Argent said: “I am absolutely overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support that has happened in response to the news of my having suffered a stroke three weeks ago.”
Argent also said he has “read every post” made over the past few days. He added: “I do feel so lucky that physically l’ve escaped the worst possible effects, and while I’m still frustrated by not finding all my words easily, I feel really hopeful that eventually I will make a full recovery.”
Furthermore, he promised to return to music, continuing, It is with a heavy heart that I can’t carry on with the live playing that I love so much, but want to emphasise that, after a couple of months, do mean to carry on in the studio with writing and recording unabated, and with superb contributions from Colin, Steve, Tom and Soren.”
The musician signed off by writing, “Thank you once again so much — Rod Argent.”
In the initial statement released by the management of The Zombies, they urged fans, “If a classic artist that has made music you love is performing nearby, don’t miss the opportunity to see them. You can sit on the couch and binge Netflix another day. The communal experience of a live performance by a veteran artist is a singular and joyous moment. These artists are treasures who have stood the test of time and are giving their all, but they are fragile human beings like all of us. Don’t miss out.”
Argent’s final performance with The Zombies came at the Barbican Centre in London on June 6th, they were joined for the farewell by Paul Weller, Irwin Sparkes and Sarah Brown.
