Credit: Andrew EcclesThe Zombies have announced that they will proceed with their scheduled North American tour following the sudden death of their longtime bass player Jim Rodford on January 20.
A message from the band’s management reports that the group will go forward with the trek in Rodford’s honor.
“On behalf of The Zombies and our extended family, we are grateful for the outpouring of love and support from fans, following the tragic and sudden loss of Jim Rodford,” the statement reads. “Jim can never be replaced…Nevertheless, one of the many principles we learned from Jim is that ‘the show must go on,’ and in that spirit, we want to assure fans that The Zombies will continue.”
The note also points out, “Not only did his bass playing anchor the band for the past 18 years…Jim’s joy and professionalism as a musician has been an inspiration to every member of The Zombies since he helped organize their first rehearsal back in 1961.”
No word yet on who will step in for Rodford at the upcoming dates, although founding Zombies bassist Chris White did play a bunch of shows with the group as part of its recent tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Odessey and Oracle album.
Rodford died following a fall down a flight of stairs. He was 76. Jim joined The Zombies when founding Zombie members Rod Argent — Rodford’s cousin — and Colin Blunstone relaunched the band in 1999. He’d previously played with Rod’s post-Zombies prog-rock act Argent from 1969 to 1976 and with The Kinks from 1978 to 1996.
The Zombies’ upcoming tour is mapped out from a February 27 concert at City Winery in New York City through a March 25 show in State College, Pennsylvania.
Here are all of the dates:
2/27 — New York, NY, City Winery New York
2/28 — New York, NY, City Winery New York
3/1 — New York, NY, City Winery New York
3/3 — Boston, MA, City Winery Boston
3/4 — Boston, MA, City Winery Boston
3/7 — New York, NY, Carnegie Hall – Led Zeppelin Tribute
3/8 — East Greenwich, RI, Greenwich Odeum
3/9 — Woodstock, NY, Levon Helm Studios
3/10 — Collingswood, NJ, Scottish Rite Auditorium
3/11 — Annapolis, MD, Rams Head On Stage
3/13 — Alexandria, VA, The Birchmere
3/14 — Annapolis, MD, Rams Head On Stage
3/16 — Atlanta, GA, City Winery Atlanta
3/17 — Nashville, TN, City Winery Nashville
3/19 — Chicago, IL, City Winery Chicago
3/20 — Chicago, IL, City Winery Chicago
3/23 — Niagara Falls, ON, Canada, Fallsview Casino
3/24 — Kent, OH, The Kent Stage
3/25 — State College, PA, The State Theatre
Copyright © 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
