Ray Davies and Jim Rodford in 1983 (Paul Natkin/Getty Images)Following the recent death of longtime Zombies, Kinks and Argent bass player Jim Rodford, Kinks frontman Ray Davies has posted a video tribute to his former band mate on his official Facebook page.
In the short clip, Davies notes, “Being in a band is very important, and recently a bass player with The Kinks, Jim Rodford, passed away. And Jim helped the unit. And I think he made the drummer, Mick [Avory], a better drummer, because he slotted in with him. You know what it’s like, rhythm sections. He was part of the engine of The Kinks. And he’ll be greatly missed.”
The video also features some candid archival footage of Rodford rehearsing on stage with The Kinks, with whom he played from 1978 until they disbanded in 1996.
Rod Argent, Jim’s cousin and his band mate in both Argent and the Zombies, posted a comment on Davies’ Facebook page thanking him for the video tribute.
“That’s a really nice tribute,” wrote Argent. “Jim’s performances had the knack of adding so much energy and direction into every band he played with. He’ll be missed by everybody.”
Jim died on January 20 after falling down a flight of stairs. He was 76.
A message on The Zombies’ Facebook page reports that a funeral service for Rodford will be held this Monday, February 12, at 1 p.m. at the Cathedral and Abbey Church in his hometown of St. Albans, U.K.
According to the note, “Friends, peers, and fans are all welcome to attend, and honor” Jim’s life. Rodford’s family is asking that, in lieu of flowers, people should donate money to multiple sclerosis charities in honor of Jim’s sister Carol.
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