Argent

Following the Zombies' dissolution, keyboardist and songwriter Rod Argent launched his own ensemble in 1969, drawing on classical, jazz, and art rock influences that aligned with his formal training. Guitarist and songwriter Russ Ballard, bassist Jim Rodford, and drummer Bob Henrit completed the lineup. Although the first two albums, Argent and Ring of Hands, earned considerable critical praise, the band's breakthrough arrived with 1972's All Together Now and its Top Five single "Hold Your Head Up." In Deep delivered the smaller hit "God Gave Rock 'N' Roll to You," later covered by Kiss in 1992. By 1974 Ballard had refined his songwriting to the point of departing for a solo career, a move foreshadowed when Three Dog Night scored a Top Ten single in 1971 with his "Liar" from Argent; guitarists John Verity and string player John Grimaldi stepped in as replacements. The loss of Ballard diffused the group's direction, prompting extended art rock passages and improvisational solos that sometimes exceeded reasonable bounds. Argent disbanded in 1976; Rodford later joined the Kinks, while Argent released several solo albums and worked as a producer for artists that included Tanita Tikaram.