Rod Argent has spoken exclusively to Classic Rock about the reunion of the original Argent line-up for our High Voltage Festival.

High Voltage sees the keyboard/vocalist teaming up again with guitarist/vocalist Russ Ballard, bassist Jim Rodford and drummer Bob Henrit, for the first time since 1974.

Argent reveals: “When the idea of doing the High Voltage festival came up, we just thought, ‘Why not?’ To be honest, there have been discussions about doing something anyway.”

There might be many amazed to see Ballard – who’s had a string of hits with Kiss, Rainbow, Ace Frehley… and Hot Chocolate! – agreeing to do this show.

But Argent isn’t at all surprised.

“Russ is always up for having a play,” he says.

In all, this Argent incarnation recorded five albums – Argent (1970), Ring Of Hands (’71), All Together Now (’72), In Deep (’73) and Nexus (’74) – so what will be featured in the set?

“Well, we only got together yesterday for first time, over an Indian lunch, so it’s too early to say. We’ve only got about 50 minutes, so the set will probably select itself.

“We have to do God Gave Rock And Roll To You and Hold Your Head Up, and we will almost certainly do some of our favourites like Pleasure and Keep On Rollin’.”

As for any future plans, they remain up in the air.

“We shall just have to wait and see where this takes us.”

The rest of the bill for Classic Rock’s High Voltage shebang is shaping up as follows:

HEADLINERS:
•    ZZ Top (July 24) and ELP (July 25)

MAIN STAGE:
•    FOREIGNER (who release new album Can’t Slow Down on March 1)

PROG STAGE:
•    ASIA
•    MARTIN TURNER’S WISHBONE ASH
•    FOCUS
•    THE REASONING
•    TOUCHSTONE
•    STEVE HACKETT
•    MARILLION

METAL HAMMER STAGE:
•    BLACK LABEL SOCIETY
•    CLUTCH

The High Voltage Festival is set to take place in London’s Victoria Park on July 24 and 25, 2010.

For ticket details go here.