![]() The original Argent lineup reunited at the High Voltage Festival in Victoria Park, London on 25 July 2010, and undertook a short five-date concert tour in December 2010, with gigs in Frome, Southampton, Wolverhampton, Leamington Spa, and London. While Rod Argent considered whether to continue Argent, the remaining members (Henrit, Rodford and Verity) became Phoenix. In 1975, John Grimaldi decided to leave the band. Both of their final albums Circus and 1975's Counterpoints were poorly received and failed to sell, though their final concert tours were well attended. This new direction alienated both Rod Argent's followers from his Zombies' days, but also many of those who followed the band because of the progressive side of their music. Argent changed direction again, this time exploring jazz fusion. ![]() The band regrouped as a quintet with the addition of a young virtuoso guitarist John Grimaldi and guitar/vocalist John Verity. Ballard's departure was followed by the release of the poorly recorded live album Encore. Uninspired by this change and seeking a vehicle for his prodigious songwriting, Ballard left after the album's release to pursue a successful career as a solo artist. The album's centerpiece "The Coming of Kohoutek" was inspired by that year's appearance of the comet of the same name. ![]() Without a hint of a potential hit, Rod Argent's writing dominated the album, with Ballard only contributing 3 of the album's 9 songs. 1974's Nexus was a dark and complex album that lacked all the band's previous signatures. God gave rock and roll to you aregent full#Their next album In Deep contained two more hits in "God Gave Rock And Roll To You" and "It's Only Money", an indication of the band's future direction into full blown progressive rock. An album containing a handful of great songs, it produced the song that they are best remembered for- "Hold Your Head Up"- which was a major hit in both Europe and the USA. All Together Now was their artistic and commercial high water mark. 1971's Ring of Hands saw Argent build their following and become major artists. It was a solid start and contained Ballard's excellent number "Liar", which was subsequently covered by Three Dog Night. Their first album, Argent, was critically acclaimed, if not a massive seller. ![]() The band was completed by bassist Jim Rodford and drummer Bob Henrit. Guitarist and vocalist Russ Ballard also developed strong melodies and hit singles, writing a string of FM staples. Indeed, his new band employed much heavier rhythms and a generally weightier sound, but also continued the minor keys and complex lyrics of The Zombies, often by Argent's writing with former Zombie bassist Chris White. Argent had enjoyed considerable success with The Zombies but wanted his new outfit to become part of the burgeoning Progressive Rock scene. Rod Argent put together Argent just as his former band The Zombies's posthumous single "Time of The Season" was becoming a worldwide hit in 1969. ![]()
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