Argent

Formed: 1969 in England Disbanded: 1976

Group Members:
Rod Argent, Russ Ballard, John Grimaldi, Robert Henrit, Jim Rodford, John Verity

In 1969, when the Zombies disbanded, Rod Argent, a keyboardist and songwriter, formed his own band. The band adopted classical, Jazz and art rock influences.
Other members of the band included guitarist/songwriter Russ Ballard, bassist Jim Rodford and drummer Henrit. The group’s first two albums, Argent and Ring of Hands, received a measure of critical acclaim. The band’s real breakthrough, however, came with All Together Now, an album containing the top five smash hit “Hold Your Head Up”

Ballard launched a solo career in 1974, by which time he had refined his songwriting talents. Guitarist John Verity and string player John Grimaldi replaced him. The band strayed in the absence of Ballard, indulging in lengthy art rock passages and improvisational solos.

The band broke up in 1976. Rodford joined the Kinks. Argent recorded solo albums and became a record producer.

Discography:

Album
Encore [UK]
1995 BBC Radio 1 in Concert
1978 Moving Home
1975 Counterpoints
1975 Circus
1974 Nexus
1974 Encore: Live in Concert
1973 In Deep
1972 All Together Now
1971 Ring of Hands
1970 Silver Plated
1969 Argent