𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

The Zombies founding member Rod Argent has returned to the stage for his first live performance in two and a half years after suffering a stroke.

The 81-year-old keyboardist said he had felt “really nervous” before joining bandmate Colin Blunstone at St Albans Cathedral as part of the band’s annual Begin Here Festival.

Founded in the Hertfordshire city in 1962, the band most recently became active again in 2004 before stopping after Argent’s stroke in July 2024.

“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,” he said.

Argent was welcomed to the stage with a standing ovation, with the audience rising again after each song.

Singer Blunstone said: “It was very emotional and I think the crowd felt it and we certainly felt it on stage… It was a wonderful reaction to him.

“They were a wonderful audience. They really, really were and they lifted us… It was very moving.”