Founding member of The Zombies, Rod Argent, has announced he will be retiring from touring after suffering a stroke.

The group’ announced that doctors have advised that the 79-year-old Argent will need several weeks of rest before he can return to performing.

In a statement, management explained that all future shows have been cancelled due to Argent’s retirement.

“We have witnessed hundreds of times how Rod transforms back into an 18 year old during the 100 minutes he’s on stage,” they said.

“That being said, the other aspects of touring can be gruelling, and can take their toll on 18 year olds, never mind a musician approaching 80”

Just after returning from a tour of the UK, the keyboardist had spent a weekend in London celebrating his birthday and 52nd wedding anniversary.

Argent had previously stepped back from touring in 1975, to focus on his personal life after spending his late teens and early 20s touring with both The Zombies, and his eponymous band Argent.

Since returning to live performances in 1999, Argent has played at the Zombies’ Hall of Fame induction, Glastonbury, the Central Park Summerstage, as well as a number of tours.