S.O.D. "Hold Your Head Up" by Argent

3/28/2015     Released as a single in 1972 and written by Rod Argent, the group's keyboardist and founding member of the 1960s English rock group the Zombies.  Fellow Zombie member and bass guitarist Chris White also helped to write the tune.  Judging by his professional ear, Rick Wakeman, keyboardist for Yes said that Rod Argent's Hammond B3 solo on the tune was the greatest organ solo ever.  

     An incredible group of seasoned musicians rounded out this band with only six members for their entire active 8 years which doesn't sound very long but in the music business it is.  Bob Henrit was on drums who was also with The Kinks and worked as a session drummer with vocalist Roger Daltrey from The Who.  Bassist Jim Rodford who was a co-founder of Argent, also worked with The Kinks and has played with the Animals and Zombies.  We move on to English singer, songwriter and multitalented instrumentalist Russ Ballard who has written such hits as "God Gave Rock and Roll to You", later covered by Petra and Kiss. He is also responsible for writing Three Dog Night's "Liar", Rainbow's "Since You Been Gone", and "You Can Do Magic" for the group America.  One of the guitarists for Argent, John Verity produced many hit albums including the very first hard rock group, Saxon's album.  He was also a main supporter of Pat Benatar when she was getting started.  Finally John Grimaldi, mainly a keyboardist and vocalist joined Argent in 1974 when Russ Ballard left. 

     There is a three minute difference in the versions of "Hold Your Head Up" as the album Version comes in at 6:15 and the single at only 3:15.  The DJ edited version we hear on the radio is 2:53.  In both the U.S. and the UK it peaked at #5 on the charts and was ranked the 50th best song in 1972 by Billboard.