Argent were a British rock band formed in 1969 by former Zombies keyboardist Rod Argent. They had three UK Top 40 singles: "Hold Your Head Up", which reached No. 5 and spent 12 weeks on the chart, "Tragedy" (No. 34), and "God Gave Rock and Roll to You" (No. 18). Two of their albums charted in the UK: All Together Now, which peaked at No. 13 in 1972, and In Deep, which spent one week at No. 49 in 1973.

Rod Argent put together his eponymous-named band just as his former band the Zombies' post-breakup single "Time of the Season" was becoming a worldwide hit in 1969. 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 Zombies bassist Chris White. Guitarist and vocalist Russ Ballard also developed strong melodies and hit singles, writing a string of FM staples. The band was completed by bassist Jim Rodford and drummer Bob Henrit. Lead vocal duties were shared between Ballard and Argent.

Their first album, Argent, was critically acclaimed, if not a massive seller. It was a solid start and contained the song "Liar", which was subsequently covered by Three Dog Night. 1971's Ring of Hands was their second album and featured the minor hit "Sweet Mary". All Together Now was their third album, released in 1972. It featured the song that they are best remembered for: "Hold Your Head Up", which was a Top 5 hit in both UK and the US charts.

Their next album, In Deep, contained two more hits in "God Gave Rock and Roll to You" and "It's Only Money". 1974's Nexus was dominated by Rod Argent's writing, with Ballard only contributing 4 of the album's 9 songs. The album's centrepiece, "The Coming of Kohoutek", was inspired by that year's appearance of the comet of the same name. 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. Ballard's departure was followed by the release of the live album Encore.

The band regrouped as a quintet with the addition of young virtuoso guitarist John Grimaldi and guitarist/vocalist John Verity. 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. In 1975, John Grimaldi left the band. While Rod Argent considered whether to continue Argent, the remaining members (Henrit, Rodford and Verity) became Phoenix.

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.^{[citation needed]}

Argent also reunited for a five-show tour from January to February 2012, before performing one last show at the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury as part of a benefit concert, on 2 June 2013, supporting the Zombies, on a bill that also included Marillion members Steve Hogarth and Steve Rothery.

Rodford died after a fall on 20 January 2018, at age 76.