R.I.P.: Jim Rodford, Bassist For The Zombies, Kinks, Argent

The Zombies bassist Jim Rodford has died aged 76 just days after his final performance.

The musician, whose career spanned six decades and included 18 years with The Kinks, died on Saturday after a fall on the stairs, his cousin and the band's frontman Rod Argent confirmed.

According to The Indepedent, Rodford had just returned home to England after completing a short tour in Florida with The Zombies with his final on-stage appearance coming on 14 January.

Argent paid tribute to his “dear cousin and lifelong friend”, writing on the band's Facebook page: “It is with deep sadness that I learned this morning that my dear cousin and lifelong friend, Jim Rodford, died this morning after a fall on the stairs.

“Jim was not only a magnificent bass player, but also from the first inextricably bound to the story of The Zombies.”

Rodford had been working on his autobiography at the time of his death and is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jean and three generations of Rodfords.

The Kinks' Dave Davies paid tribute on Twitter, writing: “I'm devastated Jim's sudden loss I'm too broken up to put words together it's such a shock."

RIP JIM RODFORD: Very sad today w the passing of #JimRodford. He played w several amazing groups including #Argent and @TheZombiesMusic. Always loved seeing him w @DaveDaviesKinks #RayDavies and @TheKinks, too. Thanks for all, Jim. Farewell from one of the kids in the back row. pic.twitter.com/eJpS7VkUAb

— Lou Brutus (@LouBrutus) January 20, 2018

Walter James “Jim” Rodford was born 7 July 1941 and began playing bass in the late Fifties with St Albans' skiffle band The Bluetones.

He helped Argent form The Zombies in 1961, declining an invitation to join the group but coached them through their first rehearsals.

Following the break-up of The Zombies in 1968, he joined Argent's new band - the eponymously named Argent - with gold records and chart success following as they released "Hold Your Head Up" and "God Gave Rock & Roll To You".



When Argent split in 1976 Rodford joined The Kinks during their later years and remained until their dissolution in 1996 when he came full circle by eventually joining The Zombies - along with his son Steve on drums - as they were resurrected by Argent and Colin Blunstone in 1999.

He spent the next 18 years recording and touring with The Zombies until his last performance six days ago at the 30A Songwriters Festival in Miramar Beach, Florida.