The Zombies’ Rod Argent has announced an immediate retirement from touring after suffering a stroke.

Argent’s retirement has forced the English rock band to cancel all of their upcoming shows, including two U.K. festival appearances that were scheduled for later this month.

“We are saddened to report that Rod Argent, founder, keyboardist, and primary songwriter of The Zombies, has suffered a stroke,” the band’s managers Chris Tuthill and Cindy da Silva said in a statement.

They added, “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.”

Health issues had previously prevented Argent from touring. He had opted out of the Zombies’ U.S. tour last year.

The 79-year-old keyboardist was reportedly mulling whether to stop performing live due to bad health.

Source: RTT Music News