FlabucI's Audio CD Collection.



Argent

After the Zombies broke up, keyboardist/songwriter
Rod Argent formed his own band in 1969, which incorporated
more classical, jazz, and art rock influences in accordance with
Argent's musical training.

The group's other members were guitarist/songwriter Russ Ballard,
bassist Jim Rodford, and drummer Bob Henrit. Argent's first two albums,
Argent and Ring of Hands, received a fair amount of critical acclaim, but
their real breakthrough came with 1972's All Together Now, which contained
the Top Five smash "Hold Your Head Up"; In Deep produced a minor hit in
"God Gave Rock 'N' Roll to You," which was covered by Kiss in 1992.

By 1974, Ballard had developed his songwriting talents enough to leave for a solo
career (Three Dog Night had a Top Ten single in 1971 with his "Liar," from Argent),
and was replaced by guitarist John Verity and string player John Grimaldi.
Without Ballard, the group lost its focus and indulged its tendencies toward
extended art rock passages and improvisational solos to somewhat excessive levels.

Argent broke up in 1976; Rodford joined the Kinks, while Argent himself recorded several
solo albums and became a record producer, working with Tanita Tikaram, among others.