The Kinks' bassist Jim Rodford dies, aged 76

The iconic rocker, who also performed with The Zombies (She's Not There, Tell Her No, Time Of The Season) and Argent (God Gave Rock And Roll To You), died after a fall on the stairs in his home on Saturday morning.

The musician, whose career spanned six decades, had just returned home to England after completing a short tour in Florida with The Zombies.

Rod Argent, of The Zombies and Argent, said Jim - his cousin, long-time friend and bandmate - was 'loved by everybody'.

"It is with deep sadness that I learned this morning that my dear cousin and lifelong friend, Jim Rodford, died this morning after a fall on the stairs," said Rod.

"When Colin and I put together our second incarnation of The Zombies in late 1999, our first phone call was to Jim. He gave us absolutely unflagging commitment, loyalty and unbelievable energy for 18 year, and our gratitude is beyond measure.

"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.”

Jim started out in the music industry with The Bluetones in the 1950s in his hometown of St Albans.

In 1961, he helped his younger cousin Rod form The Zombies, lending them equipment and coaching them through their first rehearsal, though he declined the invitation to join the band at the time.

After the break-up of The Zombies in 1968, Jim joined Rod's new band Argent, until the group disbanded in 1976.

He then became a member of The Kinks, starting with their 1979 release Low Budget, as the band was growing to arena-level success, and remained until their dissolution in 1996.

Jim then came full-circle, finally accepting the invitation to join The Zombies - along with his son Steve on drums - when Rod and Colin resurrected the band with a new line-up in late 1999.

Jim spent the next 18 years recording and touring the world with The Zombies, until his last performance with the band on January 14 at the 30a Songwriters Festival in Miramar Beach, Florida.