Russ Ballard

Russ Ballard

Russ Ballard is an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, arranger, producer and musician from Waltham Cross, United Kingdom. Born in 1945, he begins his career in the early 1960s and is active through a long period of work as both a performer and a writer for other artists. His work spans rock, hard rock, pop rock and psychedelic pop.

Early bands and Argent

Ballard starts out as a guitarist with Buster Meikle & The Day Breakers in 1961, alongside his older brother Roy Ballard on piano and Bob Henrit on drums. He later plays with The Roulettes, who back Adam Faith, and then joins Unit 4 + 2, also known as Unit Four Plus Two. He goes on to become lead singer and guitarist of Argent. While with Argent, he writes God Gave Rock and Roll to You, later covered by Petra and Kiss.

Solo career and songwriting

After leaving Argent in 1973, Ballard develops a solo career and becomes known as a songwriter and producer for other acts. He writes Liar for Three Dog Night, So You Win Again for Hot Chocolate, and Since You Been Gone and I Surrender for Rainbow. Since You Been Gone also appears on his second solo album, Winning.

As a solo artist, he reaches the US Billboard Hot 100 with On the Rebound, which peaks at number 58. Uriah Heep later cover the song on their album Abominog. His solo work also includes the songs Voices and In the Night, both from the album Russ Ballard, and the title track The Fire Still Burns from his 1985 album, which reaches number 15 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

Work with other artists

Ballard writes and performs on Roger Daltrey’s first two solo albums, Daltrey and Ride a Rock Horse, and produces several singles for him. He also writes New York Groove, which is recorded by Hello and later appears again on Ace Frehley’s solo album. Other songs he writes and/or produces include Santana’s Winning, America’s You Can Do Magic and The Border, Anni-Frid Lyngstad’s I Know There’s Something Going On, Agnetha Fältskog’s Can’t Shake Loose, and So This Is Eden for Bad English.

He also writes and produces for Elkie Brooks and works with or has songs covered by Bay City Rollers, Pointer Sisters, Carol Douglas, Clout, Kandidate, Long John Baldry, Peter Criss, The Cats, Bruce Dickinson and The Brian May Band. He acts as a talent scout and discovers Lauren Harris.

Labels and other activity

Ballard is associated with Russell Ballard Ltd and Rujo Productions. He is also linked with The RD Crusaders.