Rod Argent (born Rodney Terence Argent, 14 June 1945, St Albans, Hertfordshire, England) was a founding member of the 1960s English pop group The Zombies and the 1970s band Argent.

While at St Albans School, he met Paul Atkinson and Hugh Grundy. The three of them joined up with Colin Blunstone and Chris White to form The Zombies.

In addition to playing piano and keyboards in the group, Rod Argent was (with Chris White) one of the group's two main songwriters, penning the hits "She's Not There", "Tell Her No", and "Time of the Season", amongst others.

Argent was initially the group's lead singer, with Blunstone on guitar. Upon realizing Argent's keyboard talents, he became the group's full time keyboard player, conceding the role of lead singer to Blunstone.

After The Zombies split, he went on to form Argent, who had a hit album in 1972 with All Together Now, which contained the single "Hold Your Head Up". They also recorded the original version of the rock anthem "God Gave Rock and Roll to You", written by lead singer Russ Ballard which was later covered by Kiss. Argent's first album included the song, "Liar" (also composed by Ballard) which became a hit for Three Dog Night.

Argent later played keyboards with many other musicians, including playing on The Who's album Who Are You, and on Variations with Gary Moore, Julian Lloyd Webber and Andrew Lloyd Webber. In 1986 he composed the ITV theme music for their coverage of the 1986 World Cup - "Aztec Gold". It was released as a single under the title of "Silsoe". Argent also composed the theme music to the BBC sitcom The Piglet Files airing from 1990 to 1992.

In 1999 Argent recorded a solo piano album, Rod Argent Classically Speaking, in which he played Chopin études and music by Ravel, Bach and Grieg as well as three of his own compositions.

Argent and Blunstone have continued to perform together, and in 2004 they recorded a new album ? As Far as I Can See ? in the style of the Zombies. Subsequent album and DVD Colin Blunstone & Rod Argent of The Zombies Live At The Bloomsbury Theatre received stellar reviews (The Times, The Sun, Mojo) as did their 2007 U.S. tour - "The Zombies, still led by original keyboard wizard Rod Argent and featuring the smoked-silk vocals of Colin Blunstone, is the best 60s band still touring which doesn't have Mick Jagger as a front man" - The Washington Times.

In 2006, Argent joined Hamish Stuart, Richard Marx, Billy Squier, Edgar Winter, and Sheila E. touring with Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band.

External links

• Rod Argent Official Website