Editing Rod Argent

{{short description|British rock musician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| image             = Rod Argent in September 2019.jpg
| caption           = Argent performing in September 2019
| alt               = Argent singing into a microphone onstage
| background        = solo_singer
| birth_name        = Rodney Terence Argent
| birth_date        = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1945|6|14}}
| birth_place       = [[St Albans]], [[Hertfordshire]], England
| genre             = {{hlist|[[Rock music|Rock]]|[[Pop music|pop]]|[[psychedelic rock]]|[[progressive rock]]|classical}}
| occupation        = {{hlist|Musician|singer|songwriter|composer|record producer}}<!--Please do not add to this list without first discussing your proposal on the talk page. -->
| instrument        = {{hlist|Keyboards|vocals}}<!--- If you think an instrument should be listed or removed, a discussion to reach consensus is needed first per: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Infobox_musical_artist#instrument--->
| years_active      = 1958–present
| label             = {{hlist|[[Decca Records|Decca]]|[[Columbia Records|CBS]]}}
| associated_acts   = {{flatlist|
* [[The Zombies]]
* [[Argent (band)|Argent]]
* [[Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band]]
* [[Soraya (musician)|Soraya]]
}}<!--Please do not add to this list without first discussing your proposal on the talk page. -->
| website           = {{URL|rodargent.com}}
}}
'''Rodney Terence Argent''' (born 14 June 1945) is an English musician. In a career spanning more than 50 years, Argent came to prominence in the mid-1960s as the keyboardist, founder and leader of the rock band [[the Zombies]],<ref>{{cite web|first=Richie |last=Unterberger |author-link=Richie Unterberger |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-zombies-mn0000582313/biography |title=The Zombies &#124; Biography |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=2014-07-17}}</ref> and went on to form the band [[Argent (band)|Argent]] after the first break-up of the Zombies.<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|first=Steve |last=Huey |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/rod-argent-mn0000291826 |title=Rod Argent &#124; Biography |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=2014-07-17}}</ref>

Argent is one of the main composers of the Zombies' music and made major lyrical contributions to the band's songs. As the band's keyboardist he used a variety of instruments, including [[Hohner Pianet]], [[Mellotron]], [[harpsichord]], and [[Organ (music)|organ]].

In addition to his work with the Zombies and Argent, Argent has made music for television series, been a session musician, produced albums by other artists, and had a solo career which has included three studio albums: ''Moving Home'', ''Red House'', and ''Classically Speaking''. Argent was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] as a member of the Zombies in Brooklyn in March 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Zombies|url=https://www.rockhall.com/2019-inductees/the-zombies/|publisher=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame|access-date=13 December 2018|language=en}}</ref>

==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>

==Career==
===The Zombies===
In addition to playing the piano and keyboards in the Zombies, Argent was (with White) one of the group's two main songwriters, penning the [[hit record|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. When Argent's keyboard talents became apparent, he became the group's full-time keyboard player, conceding the role of lead singer to Blunstone. The group continued to record through the 1960s, but disbanded in December 1967, reportedly over management disagreements.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.philstar.com/modern-living/2012-09-15/849009/may-zombies-never-rest-peace|title=May the Zombies never rest in peace|author=Henson, Jopaquin|newspaper=The Philippine Star|date=15 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225212526/http://www.philstar.com/modern-living/2012-09-15/849009/may-zombies-never-rest-peace|archive-date=25 February 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Argent===
After the band broke up, Argent went on to form the band [[Argent (band)|Argent]], which had a hit album in 1972 with ''[[All Together Now (Argent album)|All Together Now]]'', which contained the single "[[Hold Your Head Up]]". His [[Hammond organ|Hammond B3]] solo on that track was cited by [[Rick Wakeman]] as the "greatest organ solo ever".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ron-galloway/interview-with-the-zombie_b_2893545.html |title=Ron Galloway: Interview With the Zombie – Rod Argent On Gershwin, Bill Evans, Miles Davis & The Penny Lane Piano |work=The Huffington Post |date=18 March 2013 |access-date=2014-07-24}}</ref> The band also [[sound recording and reproduction|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 other artists including [[Petra (band)|Petra]] and [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]]. Argent's first album included the song "[[Liar (Russ Ballard song)|Liar]]" (also composed by Ballard), which became a hit for [[Three Dog Night]]. In 1976, the band broke up.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/argent-mn0000593930/biography|title=Argent|author=Huey, Steve|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=5 December 2015}}</ref>

===Solo career===
In 1978, Argent released his debut solo album ''Moving Home'' with many well-known musicians, including [[Gary Moore]], [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]] drummer [[Phil Collins]], and [[Weather Report]] bass guitarist [[Alphonso Johnson]]. In 1980, he wrote a  musical titled ''Masquerade'' which premiered in London in 1982. In 1988, he issued another solo album, ''Red House''.<ref name=bio>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/rod-argent-mn0000291826|title=Rod Argent|author=Huey, Steve|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=5 December 2015}}</ref>

Argent went on to play keyboards with a number of musicians, including piano on the [[Who Are You (The Who song)|title track]] of [[The Who]]'s album ''[[Who Are You]]'', and on ''[[Variations (Andrew Lloyd Webber album)|Variations]]'' with [[Gary Moore]], [[Julian Lloyd Webber]], and [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]]. In the 1980s he began writing for television. In 1986, he composed the theme music for [[ITV (TV channel)|ITV]]'s coverage of the [[1986 FIFA World Cup]], ''Aztec Gold'', which he released as a [[Single (music)|single]] under the name of ''Silsoe''. Also in 1986, he composed the theme music for ITV's ''[[The Two of Us (1986 TV series)|The Two of Us]]'' and for 1987's LWT series Bust. Two years later, the Argent/Van Hooke composition "Goal Crazy" was used by ITV's ''[[The Big Match|The Match]]'' from 1988 until 1992; and the duo also composed the now-familiar theme music for ITV's ''[[It'll Be Alright On The Night]]'', first used in series 6 in 1990 and then until 2008.  Argent also composed the theme music to the ITV ([[London Weekend Television|LWT]]) sitcom ''[[The Piglet Files]]'', which aired from 1990 to 1992.<ref name=bio />

In 1987, Argent formed a production company with ex-[[Van Morrison]] drummer [[Peter Van Hooke]] which produced a number of artists. In 1995, Argent produced [[Soraya (musician)|Soraya]]'s debut album ''[[On Nights Like This]]'' and her second album ''[[Wall Of Smiles]]''. Other albums the business partners produced included [[Tanita Tikaram]]'s ''[[Ancient Heart]]'' (1988), [[Nanci Griffith]]'s ''[[Late Night Grande Hotel]]'' (1991), [[Joshua Kadison]]'s ''[[Painted Desert Serenade]]'' (1993), and [[Jules Shear]]'s ''Healing Bones'' (1994).<ref name=bio />

In 1999, Argent recorded a solo piano album, ''Rod Argent Classically Speaking'', in which he played [[Frédéric Chopin|Chopin]] [[étude]]s and music by [[Maurice Ravel|Ravel]], [[Johann Sebastian Bach|Bach]], and [[Edvard Grieg|Grieg]], as well as three of his own compositions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/classically-speaking-mw0001381647|title=Rod Argent Classically Speaking|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=5 December 2015}}</ref> In 2006, Argent joined [[Hamish Stuart]], [[Richard Marx]], [[Billy Squier]], [[Edgar Winter]] and [[Sheila E.]] to tour with [[Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ringostarr.com/ringo-starr-and-his-all-starr-bands-a-tour-history|title=Ringo Starr News|access-date=5 December 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009132217/http://www.ringostarr.com/ringo-starr-and-his-all-starr-bands-a-tour-history/|archive-date=9 October 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===The Zombies reunion===
[[File:Rod Argent.jpg|thumb|Argent in 2005]]
In 2004, Argent and Colin Blunstone recorded a new album, ''[[As Far as I Can See...]]'', in the style of The Zombies. A subsequent album and DVD ''Colin Blunstone & Rod Argent of the Zombies Live at the Bloomsbury Theatre'' received favourable reviews,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Live-at-Bloomsbury-Theatre-London/dp/B0007IJY9S |title=The Zombies / Zombies Live! |website=Amazon UK |access-date=2014-07-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogcritics.org/music/article/music-cddvd-review-colin-blunstone-rod/ |title=Music CD/DVD Review: Colin Blunstone & Rod Argent of The Zombies – Live at the Bloomsbury Theatre, London |publisher=Blogcritics |access-date=2014-07-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918003838/http://blogcritics.org/music/article/music-cddvd-review-colin-blunstone-rod/ |archive-date=18 September 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> as did their 2007 US tour. One critic noted, "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".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=WT&p_theme=wt&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_text_search-0=colin%20AND%20blunstone&s_dispstring=colin%20blunstone%20AND%20date(2007)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=2007&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no|title=Hits keep on coming...|newspaper=[[The Washington Times]]|date=1 August 2007|access-date=2014-07-17}} {{subscription required}}</ref>

Argent continued to tour with Colin Blunstone as The Zombies, and in March 2008 the original surviving members of the band played three reunion concerts at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire, performing the album ''[[Odessey and Oracle]]''. The band were introduced by [[Al Kooper]], who had discovered the album in a record shop in Carnaby Street in London after the band had broken up. He promoted it on radio stations in the US, leading to "Time of the Season" becoming a Top 3 hit in the singles charts. The sold out concerts (attended by several DJs and musical celebrities) led to a band reunion. In a 2015 interview with ''[[PopMatters]]'' journalist J.C. Maçek III about the Zombies' latest album ''[[Still Got That Hunger]]'', Argent said "''Still Got That Hunger'' is the first album that has really recaptured some of the resonance of feeling of a group. We're so tight as a group together now. And the whole process has become so organic that we're 100% happy with the Zombies name and rediscovering and playing all the old stuff and at the same time carving a new path forward which is also very, very important to us."<ref name=PM>{{cite web|work=[[PopMatters]]|author=Maçek III, J.C.|title="There Are No Half-Measures" An Interview with the Zombies' Rod Argent|date=4 November 2015|url=http://www.popmatters.com/feature/there-are-no-half-measures-an-interview-with-the-zombies-rod-argent/}}</ref>

In 2012, Argent participated in the unveiling of a [[Blue Plaque]] at The Blacksmith's Arms, a pub in St Albans where the Zombies met for their first rehearsal.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.whtimes.co.uk/what-s-on/music/blue_plaque_breathes_new_life_into_the_zombies_1_1361461|title=Blue plaque breathes new life into The Zombies|date=26 April 2012|newspaper=Welwyn Hatfield Times|access-date=19 November 2015}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Argent and his wife Cathy met at a party in 1967, and they married in 1972. They have two children, Elesa and Mark.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/611722/The-Zombies-Rod-Argent-life-career-interview|title=Where are they now... ? The Zombies' Rod Argent|author=Button, Simon|date=17 October 2015|access-date=5 December 2015}}</ref> In July 2024, Argent, at 79 years old, suffered a stroke, and on 11 July 2024 he announced his retirement from touring.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rigotti |first=Alex |date=2024-07-11 |title=The Zombies' Rod Argent announces retirement from touring due to stroke recovery |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-zombies-rod-argent-announces-retirement-from-touring-due-to-stroke-recovery-3774198 |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Discography==
=== With the Zombies ===
{{Main articles|The Zombies discography}}

==== Studio albums ====
* ''[[Begin Here]]'' (UK) / ''[[The Zombies (album)|The Zombies]]'' (US) (1965)
* ''[[Odessey and Oracle]]'' (1968)
* ''The Return of the Zombies'' (1990)/''[[New World (The Zombies album)|New World]]'' (1991)
* ''[[R.I.P. (The Zombies album)|R.I.P.]]'' (2000, recorded in 1968)
* ''Out of the Shadows'' (2001) (credited to Colin Blunstone & Rod Argent)
* ''[[As Far as I Can See...]]'' (2004)
* ''[[Breathe Out, Breathe In]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Still Got That Hunger]]'' (2015)
* ''Different Game'' (2023)

==== EPs ====
* ''[[The Zombies (EP)|The Zombies]]'' (1964)

==== Live albums ====
* ''Live at the BBC'' (2003)
* ''Live at the Bloomsbury Theatre, London'' (2005) (also on DVD)
* ''On the BBC Radio'' (2007)
* ''Odessey and Oracle: 40th Anniversary Live Concert'' (2008) (also on DVD)
* ''Live in Concert at Metropolis Studios'' (2012)
* ''Live in the UK'' (2013)

==== Singles ====
{| class="wikitable"
!Title
!Year
|-
!"[[She's Not There]]"
<small>b/w "You Make Me Feel Good"</small>
| rowspan="3" |1964
|-
!"[[Leave Me Be]]"
<small>b/w "Woman"</small>
|-
!"[[Tell Her No]]"
<small>UK & AUS b/w "What More Can I Do?"</small>
<small>US & CAN b/w "[[Leave Me Be]]"</small>
|-
!"[[She's Coming Home]]"
<small>b/w "I Must Move"</small>
| rowspan="4" |1965
|-
!"[[I Want You Back Again]]"
<small>b/w "Remember When I Loved Her"</small>
|-
!"[[Whenever You're Ready (The Zombies song)|Whenever You're Ready]]"
<small>b/w "[[I Love You (The Zombies song)|I Love You]]"</small>
|-
!"[[Just Out of Reach (song)|Just Out of Reach]]"
<small>b/w "Remember You"</small>
|-
!"Is This the Dream?"
<small>b/w "Don't Go Away"</small>
| rowspan="3" |1966
|-
!"Indication"
<small>b/w "How We Were Before"</small>
|-
!"Gotta Get a Hold of Myself"
<small>b/w "The Way I Feel Inside"</small>
|-
!"[[Goin' Out of My Head#The Zombies rendition|Goin' Out of My Head]]"
<small>b/w "She Does Everything for Me"</small>
| rowspan="3" |1967
|-
!"Friends of Mine"
<small>b/w "Beechwood Park"</small>
|-
!"[[Care of Cell 44]]"
<small>b/w "Maybe After He's Gone"</small>
|-
!"[[Time of the Season]]"
<small>b/w "I'll Call You Mine"</small>
<small>b/w "Friends of Mine" (1969 US re-release)</small>
| rowspan="3" |1968
|-
!"[[I Love You (The Zombies song)|I Love You]]"
<small>b/w "The Way I Feel Inside"</small>
|-
!"[[Butcher's Tale (Western Front 1914)]]"
<small>b/w "This Will Be Our Year"</small>
|-
!"Imagine the Swan"
<small>b/w "Conversation Off Floral Street"</small>
| rowspan="2" |1969
|-
!"If It Don't Work Out"
<small>b/w "Don't Cry For Me"</small>
|-
!"Dropped Reeling & Stupid"
|2023
|}

=== With Argent ===
{{Main articles|Argent (band)#Discography}}

==== Studio albums ====
{| class="wikitable"
!Album
!Year
|-
|''[[Argent (album)|Argent]]''
|1970
|-
|''[[Ring of Hands]]''
|1971
|-
|''[[All Together Now (Argent album)|All Together Now]]''
|1972
|-
|''[[In Deep (Argent album)|In Deep]]''
|1973
|-
|''[[Nexus (Argent album)|Nexus]]''
|1974
|-
|''[[Circus (Argent album)|Circus]]''
| rowspan="2" |1975
|-
|''[[Counterpoints (Argent album)|Counterpoints]]''
|}

==== Live albums ====
{| class="wikitable"
!Album
!Year
|-
|''[[Encore: Live in Concert]]''
|1974
|-
|''In Concert''
|1995
|-
|''The Complete BBC Sessions''
|1997
|-
|''High Voltage Festival''
|2010
|}

==== Singles ====
{| class="wikitable"
!Song
!Year
|-
|"[[Liar (Russ Ballard song)|Liar]]"
| rowspan="2" |1970
|-
|"Schoolgirl"
|-
|"Sweet Mary"
| rowspan="2" |1971
|-
|"Celebration"
|-
|"[[Hold Your Head Up]]"
| rowspan="2" |1972
|-
|"Tragedy"
|-
|"[[God Gave Rock and Roll to You]]"
| rowspan="2" |1973
|-
|"It's Only Money, Part 2"
|-
|"Man for All Reasons"
| rowspan="3" |1974
|-
|"Thunder & Lightning"
|-
|"[[Time of the Season]]"
|-
|"The Jester"
| rowspan="3" |1975
|-
|"Highwire"
|-
|"Rock 'n' Roll Show"
|-
|}Gymnopedies No 1 1977

=== With Shadowshow ===
* Shadowshow – ''Shadowshow'' (1985)

===Solo albums===
* ''Moving Home'' (1978)
* ''Ghosts'' (1981) (with [[Barbara Thompson (musician)|Barbara Thompson]])
* ''Metro'' (1983) (with [[John Dankworth]])
* ''A New Age'' (1984) (with Robert Howes)
* ''Second Sight'' (1984) (with Robert Howes)
* ''Network Heroes'' (1987) (with Robert Howes)
* ''The Advance of Man'' (1988) (with Robert Howes)
* ''Red House'' (1988)
* ''Rescue'' (1989) (with Robert Howes)
* ''Classically Speaking'' (1998)

===Appearances===
* ''Pastourelle (Inspired By The Songs Of The Auvergne)'' (1982)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Barbara Courtney-King, Rod Argent, Ray Cooper, Julian Lloyd Webber And The Gabrielli String Quartet* - Pastourelle (Inspired By The Songs Of The Auvergne)|url=https://www.discogs.com/Barbara-Courtney-King-Rod-Argent-Ray-Cooper-Julian-Lloyd-Webber-And-The-Gabrielli-String-Quartet-Pas/master/1444977|access-date=2021-04-19|website=Discogs|date=26 October 1982 |language=en}}</ref>
* ''Wild Connections'' (1987)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* [http://www.rodargent.com Official website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091007214808/http://www.pauseandplay.com/argent.htm Interview with Rod Argent on Pause&Play website – April 2001]
* {{YouTube|IO2pt3CYia4|Video interview with Rod Argent at the Ottawa Blues Festival – July 15, 2009}}
* {{YouTube|sHtDqs9osnU|Video interview with Rod Argent for GetCloser.com – April 30, 2009}}
* [http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid:197877 Rod Argent Interview – The Austin Chronicle – Feb 20 2004]
* [https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/rod-argent Rod Argent Interview] at [[NAMM Oral History Program|NAMM Oral History Library]] (2011)

{{The Zombies}}
{{Argent}}
{{2019 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Argent, Rod}}
[[Category:1945 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century British pianists]]
[[Category:21st-century British classical pianists]]
[[Category:21st-century British male musicians]]
[[Category:The Zombies members]]
[[Category:Argent (band) members]]
[[Category:British male classical pianists]]
[[Category:English classical pianists]]
[[Category:English male singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:English pop keyboardists]]
[[Category:English rock keyboardists]]
[[Category:English rock pianists]]
[[Category:Musicians from St Albans]]
[[Category:People educated at St Albans School, Hertfordshire]]
[[Category:Progressive rock keyboardists]]
[[Category:Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band members]]