Editing Rod Argent (section)

==Early years==
Argent was born in [[St Albans]], [[Hertfordshire]], into a working-class family. His father, Les Argent, was an aeronautical engineer who machined parts at the De Havilland aircraft factory; he had also been the leader of two semi-professional dance bands, the Les Argent Quartet and Les Argent and his Rhythm Kings. Although his father did not teach Argent music, he was raised hearing him playing the upright piano in the family home. Argent's mother was one of eight children, and Argent grew up with "a substantial network of cousins, uncles and aunts" living in the town.<ref>''The Zombies: Hung up on a Dream- A Biography 1962-1967'', Claes Johansen, SAF Publishing Ltd, The Cromwell Press, 2001, pp. 16-17</ref><ref>''Where Have All The Rock Stars Gone?'' vol. 1, Marti Smiley Childs, Jeff March, EditPros, 2011, p. 265</ref>

He decided to become a musician "aged eight or nine",<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pingitore |first=Silvia |date=2020-02-29 |title=Rod Argent, The Zombies and John Lennon's mellotron: interview |url=https://the-shortlisted.co.uk/rod-argent-the-zombies-interview/ |access-date=2021-10-30 |website=the-shortlisted.co.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref> and as a child, he sang as a chorister in the [[St Albans Cathedral Choir]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Conversations at the Edges of Things: Reflections for the Church in Honor of John Goldingay|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tyRTAwAAQBAJ|last1=Bridger|first1=Francis|last2=Butler|first2=James T.|date=2012|publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers|isbn=9781621899532}}</ref> While at [[St Albans School, Hertfordshire|St Albans School]], he met [[Paul Atkinson (guitarist)|Paul Atkinson]] and [[Hugh Grundy]]. Argent, Atkinson, and Grundy first played together at a jam on Easter 1961 in St Albans.

Argent wanted to form a band and initially asked his cousin [[Jim Rodford]] to join as a bass guitarist. Rodford was playing in local band called the Bluetones at the time, so declined. [[Colin Blunstone]] and Paul Arnold joined the new band in early 1961, while all five members were still at school. Arnold left not long after and was replaced by [[Chris White (musician)|Chris White]]. After the band won a local contest, they recorded a demo as their prize. Argent's song "[[She's Not There]]" got them a recording contract with [[Decca Records|Decca]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-zombies-mn0000582313/biography|publisher=AllMusic|author=Unterberger, Richie|title=The Zombies|access-date=19 November 2015}}</ref>