Jim Rodford, Former Kinks & Zombies Bassist, Dies At 76

Former Kinks and Zombies bassist Jim Rodford died Jan. 20 after a fall, according to the Zombies’ Facebook page. He was 76.

JIM RODFORD DIES AT 76

Rodford had played with the Zombies since 2004, and the band co-founder and cousin of Rodford, Rod Argent, called his relative a “magnificent bass player.” “Jim was a wonderful person, loved by everybody. When Colin and I, shocked and hardly able to talk, shared the news this morning, Colin said ‘I’ve never heard anyone say a bad word about him…’ He will be unbelievably missed. Goodnight and God Bless dear friend,” Argent wrote on Facebook.

Rodford joined the Kinks in 1978 – he toured with them and played on their later albums. Dave Davies, the Kinks co-founder, tweeted his condolences and said that Rodford was “an integral part of the Kinks later years.”

“I’m devastated Jim’s sudden loss I’m too broken up to put words together it’s such a shock i always thought Jim would live forever in true rock and roll fashion – strange – great friend great musician great man – he was an integral part of the Kinks later years RIP #JimRodford

Rodford was the Kinks’ bassist for 18 years and was featured on albums from 1979’s Low Budget to 1993’s Phobia, the band’s final LP. They broke up 3 years later in 1996. He later played bass for the Kast Off Kinks, made up of former Kinks members Mick Avory and Ian Gibbons.

With the Zombies, Rodford was initially asked to join the group in 1961 but declined because of his success in a local band. More than 40 years later, he joined the Zombies when Argent and singer Colin Blunstone revived the band. Rodford’s son Steve Rodford also joined the band as drums. The band toured together until the bassist’s death. Rodford also appeared on their 2015 comeback LP Still Got That Hunger.