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.
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