What to Know About Rod Argent’s Return
- Return to stage: Rod Argent performed live for the first time since his 2024 stroke at a festival in St. Albans.
- Festival performance: Argent joined Zombies singer Colin Blunstone for three songs at the Begin Here festival.
- Career highlights: The Zombies scored major hits with “She’s Not There,” “Tell Her No” and “Time of the Season.”
- Health decision: Argent said in 2024 that he would retire from touring to protect his health.
This article covers Rod Argent’s return to the stage, his performance with Colin Blunstone and the Zombies’ hit songs, so readers can catch up on the event and the band’s history.
Rod Argent returned to live performance at the Begin Here festival after suffering a stroke in 2024.
Rod Argent, keyboardist and co-founder of the 1960s psychedelic rock group the Zombies, performed onstage for the first time since suffering a stroke in 2024.
The performance took place Oct. 31 at St Albans Cathedral during the annual Begin Here festival, held in the Zombies’ hometown of St. Albans, England. Zombies singer Colin Blunstone was performing an acoustic set with special guests when Argent joined him and received a standing ovation.
Argent and Blunstone performed three songs together. Videos shared by Maggie Clarke Photography (@MaggieClarkePhD) show two of them, “Time of the Season” and “She’s Not There.”
Argent told the BBC, “I felt people were all trying to make me feel at home in the best possible way, and then after each song they all stood up and cheered. It was very emotional.”
READ MORE: Top 10 Songs by the Zombies
Blunstone said the performance was “very emotional” and described the audience’s response as wonderful and moving.
Argent, now 81, suffered his stroke in July 2024. At the time, he said he would “retire from touring in order to protect his health.”
What Were Rod Argent’s Biggest Hits With the Zombies?
The Zombies’ first major international success came in 1964 with “She’s Not There,” a hit written by Argent.
“She’s Not There” launched the Zombies’ run of hits in 1964.
The Zombies became one of the era’s most popular psychedelic rock acts. Their other hits included “Tell Her No,” “She’s Coming Home” and “Time of the Season,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard chart in 1968.
- “She’s Not There”: The Argent-written hit that brought the Zombies international success in 1964.
- “Tell Her No”: One of the band’s further hits.
- “She’s Coming Home”: Another song among the Zombies’ hits.
- “Time of the Season”: The song that reached No. 1 on the Billboard chart in 1968.
The Zombies disbanded before the 1960s ended and later reunited for several successful runs. The band entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.
Which Albums Capture the Range of Psychedelic Rock?
The gallery presents 25 psychedelic rock albums and describes how the genre drew on blues, folk and world music.
Psychedelic rock albums reflected influences from several musical traditions.
Top 25 Psychedelic Rock Albums
Blues, folk and world music were among the influences touched by the kaleidoscopic sound of 1960s psychedelic rock.
Gallery Credit: Michael Gallucci
Why Did Rod Argent Stop Touring?
Argent announced his retirement from touring after suffering a stroke in July 2024, saying the decision was intended to protect his health.
Argent said he would retire from touring to protect his health after his 2024 stroke.
His appearance at the Begin Here festival was his first live performance since the stroke, and he performed three songs with Blunstone.
What Did Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone Perform?
Argent and Blunstone performed three songs together at St Albans Cathedral during the Begin Here festival.
Argent and Blunstone performed three songs together at the festival.
Videos shared by Maggie Clarke Photography show “Time of the Season” and “She’s Not There.”
When Did the Zombies Enter the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?
The Zombies were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted the Zombies in 2019.
The band’s induction followed its original run, which ended with the group disbanding before the 1960s were over, and several later successful reunions.
