Russ Ballard
Encyclopedia
Russell Glyn Ballard is an English
singer, songwriter
and musician
.
with Buster Meikle & The Day Breakers in 1961, together with Roy Ballard, Russ's older brother on piano
and Bob Henrit
on drums
. After a stint with The Roulettes
, backing Adam Faith
, he then went on to join Unit 4 + 2
in the early 1960s, before becoming the lead singer and guitarist of Argent
, writing their hit
"God Gave Rock and Roll to You", which would later be covered
by both Petra
and Kiss
.
Ballard is most well-known as the vocalist on Argent's smash " Hold your head up ".
In 1972, Ballard performed on Colin Blunstone
's album
Ennismore, which was produced
by Chris White
. Ballard also wrote the hit single
, "I Don't Believe in Miracles", which featured on that album.
He left Argent in 1973 and pursued a solo
and songwriting career. He wrote such hits as Three Dog Night
's "Liar", Hot Chocolate's 1977 UK chart topper "So You Win Again
", and Rainbow
's 1980 hit "Since You Been Gone
." Head East
recorded the song first in 1978 for its self-titled album. The song also is featured on Ballard's second solo album Winning. He also wrote Rainbow
's 1981 #3 (UK) hit "I Surrender". As a solo artist, Ballard charted once on the U.S.
Billboard Hot 100
chart
, when "On the Rebound" reached #58 in 1980. Progressive rock
band Uriah Heep
covered "On the Rebound" in 1982 on their album, Abominog
.
Ballard also wrote and performed on Roger Daltrey
's first two solo albums - Daltrey
(1973) and Ride a Rock Horse
(1975). Daltrey recorded some other Russ Ballard originals for his McVicar
soundtrack, and his Under a Raging Moon
and Can't Wait to See the Movie
, albums. He did a tour with Roger Daltrey in 1985, playing guitar and even singing one of his own songs.
British pop band Hello
recorded
Ballard's "New York Groove
" in 1975, reaching #7 in Germany
and #9 in the UK
.
Ballard also wrote the #17, 1981 hit for Santana
, called "Winning", which appeared on their album entitled Zebop!
and had previously been released by Ballard himself on his second solo album.
Ballard wrote and produced "You Can Do Magic
" for the group America
on its 1982 album View from the Ground
. The single climbed to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1982, and helped resurrect the band's career. The following year, America brought in Ballard to produce their follow-up album, Your Move. One of its tracks, "The Border", which was co-written by Ballard with Dewey Bunnell, reached #33 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Borrowing from The Cure
's Simon Gallup
's 1981 "Other Voices" bass riff, Ballard wrote ABBA
singer Anni-Frid Lyngstad
's 1982 solo hit: "I Know There's Something Going On
" (which was produced and featured drums played by Phil Collins
). The track reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100. He also penned "Can't Shake Loose
" for fellow ABBA former member, Agnetha Fältskog
, which peaked at #29 in the same listings.
His song "Voices" - from the album Russ Ballard - was featured in the Miami Vice
episode "Calderone's Return: Part 2 - Calderone's Demise", which aired on 26 October 1984. The song was a brief hit on rock
radio station
s, peaking at #15 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. However, "Voices" stalled below the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #110. The song "In The Night", also from the Russ Ballard album, was featured in the episode "Calderone's Return: Part 1 - The Hit List". The show featured "Your Time Is Gonna Come" by Ballard later in its run.
"The Fire Still Burns", the title track of his 1985 album attained #15 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
In 1991 the song he co-wrote with John Waite
and Jonathan Cain, "So This Is Eden", appeared on Bad English
's album, Backlash.
Ballard has also written and produced for Elkie Brooks
, and more recently, acting as a talent scout, he "discovered" Lauren Harris
.
covering "God Gave Rock and Roll to You", retitled as "God Gave Rock 'n' Roll to You II
":
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
singer, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
.
Career
Ballard was initially a guitaristGuitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
with Buster Meikle & The Day Breakers in 1961, together with Roy Ballard, Russ's older brother on piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and Bob Henrit
Bob Henrit
Bob Henrit is an English drummer who has been a member of several musical groups, including Buster Meikle & The Daybreakers, The Hunters, Unit 4 + 2, The Roulettes, Argent and The Kinks....
on drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
. After a stint with The Roulettes
The Roulettes
The Roulettes were a British rock and roll group formed in London in 1962. They started out as the group playing behind Adam Faith, who enjoyed a run of chart hits in the 1960s. In 1963 they signed to EMI and began releasing their own material, and in addition they would continue to work with Faith...
, backing Adam Faith
Adam Faith
Terence "Terry" Nelhams-Wright, known as Adam Faith was a Teen idol English singer, actor and later financial journalist. He was one of the most charted acts of the 1960s. He became the first UK artist to lodge his initial seven hits in the Top 5...
, he then went on to join Unit 4 + 2
Unit 4 + 2
Unit 4 + 2 were a British pop band, who had a number one hit in the UK Singles Chart in 1965 with the song "Concrete and Clay". The track topped the UK chart for one week.-Early days:...
in the early 1960s, before becoming the lead singer and guitarist of Argent
Argent (band)
Argent are an English rock band founded in 1969 by keyboardist Rod Argent, formerly of The Zombies.-Career:The first three demos from Argent, recorded in the autumn of 1968 featured Mac MacLeod on bass guitar though he was not meant to become a member of the group.Original members of the band were...
, writing their hit
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
"God Gave Rock and Roll to You", which would later be covered
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
by both Petra
Petra (band)
Petra is a music group regarded as a pioneer of the Christian rock and contemporary Christian music genres. Formed in 1972, the band took its name from the Greek word for "rock"...
and Kiss
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
.
Ballard is most well-known as the vocalist on Argent's smash " Hold your head up ".
In 1972, Ballard performed on Colin Blunstone
Colin Blunstone
Colin Blunstone is an English pop singer-songwriter, best known as a member of the pop group The Zombies, and for his participation on various albums with The Alan Parsons Project.-Biography:...
's album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
Ennismore, which was produced
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
by Chris White
Chris White (musician)
Chris White was the bass guitarist and songwriter with the 60s British Invasion band The Zombies.Although born in Barnet, Hertfordshire, he was brought up in Markyate where his parents owned a village shop...
. Ballard also wrote the hit single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, "I Don't Believe in Miracles", which featured on that album.
He left Argent in 1973 and pursued a solo
Solo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
and songwriting career. He wrote such hits as Three Dog Night
Three Dog Night
Three Dog Night is an American rock band best known for their music from 1968 to 1975. During that time the band charted 21 Billboard top 40 hits in America, three of which reached Number One...
's "Liar", Hot Chocolate's 1977 UK chart topper "So You Win Again
So You Win Again
"So You Win Again" is a popular single from the Hot Chocolate album Every 1's a Winner. The single was released in June 1977.Written by Russ Ballard and produced by Mickie Most, it is the band's sole UK number one single, spending three weeks at the top in July 1977, and one week as a NME...
", and Rainbow
Rainbow (band)
Rainbow were an English rock band, controlled by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore from 1975 to 1984 and 1994 to 1997. It was originally established with American rock band Elf's members, though over the years Rainbow went through many line-up changes with no two studio albums featuring the same line-up...
's 1980 hit "Since You Been Gone
Since You Been Gone
"Since You Been Gone" is a 1970s rock song written and recorded by former Argent guitarist Russ Ballard for his 1976 album Winning. It has also been recorded by numerous other artists, including all-girl group Clout, Cherie Currie and Head East...
." Head East
Head East
Head East is an American hard rock band originally from South Central Illinois. The band was formed by vocalist John Schlitt, guitarist Mike Somerville, keyboardist Roger Boyd, bassist Dan Birney, and drummer Steve Huston. They met and formed the band while studying at the University of Illinois,...
recorded the song first in 1978 for its self-titled album. The song also is featured on Ballard's second solo album Winning. He also wrote Rainbow
Rainbow (band)
Rainbow were an English rock band, controlled by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore from 1975 to 1984 and 1994 to 1997. It was originally established with American rock band Elf's members, though over the years Rainbow went through many line-up changes with no two studio albums featuring the same line-up...
's 1981 #3 (UK) hit "I Surrender". As a solo artist, Ballard charted once on the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
, when "On the Rebound" reached #58 in 1980. Progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band Uriah Heep
Uriah Heep (band)
Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
covered "On the Rebound" in 1982 on their album, Abominog
Abominog
Abominog was the 14th album for British rock group Uriah Heep. It was the first album without keyboardist Ken Hensley. The album was critically acclaimed and fairly commercially successful album due, in part, to the band retooling and updating their sound to a contemporary heavy metal style. It...
.
Ballard also wrote and performed on Roger Daltrey
Roger Daltrey
Roger Harry Daltrey, CBE , is an English singer and actor, best known as the founder and lead singer of English rock band The Who. He has maintained a musical career as a solo artist and has also worked in the film industry, acting in a large number of films, theatre and television roles and also...
's first two solo albums - Daltrey
Daltrey
Daltrey is the first solo album by The Who's lead singer, Roger Daltrey. It was first released in 1973. The album took six weeks to record during January and February 1973...
(1973) and Ride a Rock Horse
Ride a Rock Horse
Ride a Rock Horse is the second solo album by The Who's lead singer, Roger Daltrey. It was first released in 1975. Songs were recorded during Daltrey's filming commitments for Ken Russell's film Lisztomania...
(1975). Daltrey recorded some other Russ Ballard originals for his McVicar
McVicar (Roger Daltrey album)
McVicar Roger Daltrey's fourth studio album, and also the soundtrack album of McVicar, the film of the same name. The film was a bio-pic of English bank robber John McVicar, was produced by Daltrey and also featured him in the starring role...
soundtrack, and his Under a Raging Moon
Under a Raging Moon
Under a Raging Moon is Roger Daltrey's sixth solo album issued in September, 1985, which includes several drummers' tributes to Keith Moon, former drummer of The Who who died in 1978. The album reached number 42 on the U.S. charts, and the single "After the Fire" written by Pete Townshend reached...
and Can't Wait to See the Movie
Can't Wait to See the Movie
Can't Wait to See the Movie is Roger Daltrey's seventh solo album released in the U.S. in June, 1987. The vinyl album was released on Atlantic 81759, and was produced by Alan Shacklock, David Foster, Chas Sanford & Jimmy Scott. It was recorded at various studios in London and Los Angeles...
, albums. He did a tour with Roger Daltrey in 1985, playing guitar and even singing one of his own songs.
British pop band Hello
Hello (band)
Hello is a Bell Records label, teen appeal glam rock band, based in England.-Career:The core of Hello was founded in about 1969, originally being called The Age. The band was started by Bob Bradbury, previously of The Flashback Berries, with Jeff Allen , Keith Marshall and Vic Faulkner...
recorded
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
Ballard's "New York Groove
New York Groove
"New York Groove" is a song written by Russ Ballard and first recorded by Hello in 1975 and later by Ace Frehley in 1978.-Hello:The British glam rock band Hello first recorded the song in 1975, for their debut album, Keeps Us Off The Streets...
" in 1975, reaching #7 in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and #9 in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
Ballard also wrote the #17, 1981 hit for Santana
Santana (band)
Santana is a rock band based around guitarist Carlos Santana and founded in the late 1960s. It first came to public attention after their performing the song "Soul Sacrifice" at the Woodstock Festival in 1969, when their Latin rock provided a contrast to other acts on the bill...
, called "Winning", which appeared on their album entitled Zebop!
Zebop!
Zebop! is the eleventh studio album by Santana. The album has had several releases, and several different colour backgrounds for the cover have been produced, including pink and red...
and had previously been released by Ballard himself on his second solo album.
Ballard wrote and produced "You Can Do Magic
You Can Do Magic (song)
"You Can Do Magic" is a song by singer-songwriter Russ Ballard which was recorded as a 1982 single by folk rock duo America from their album View from the Ground....
" for the group America
America (band)
America is an English-American folk rock band that originally included members Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell and Dan Peek. The three members were barely out of their teens when they became a musical sensation during 1972, scoring #1 hits and winning a Grammy for best new musical artist...
on its 1982 album View from the Ground
View from the Ground
View from the Ground is the tenth original studio album by American folk rock duo America, released by Capitol Records in July 1982.This album marked a major comeback for a group that had been generally written off since Dan Peek's departure five years before...
. The single climbed to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1982, and helped resurrect the band's career. The following year, America brought in Ballard to produce their follow-up album, Your Move. One of its tracks, "The Border", which was co-written by Ballard with Dewey Bunnell, reached #33 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Borrowing from The Cure
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
's Simon Gallup
Simon Gallup
Simon Jonathon Gallup is an English musician and bassist of the post-punk band The Cure.-Early years:...
's 1981 "Other Voices" bass riff, Ballard wrote ABBA
ABBA
ABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
singer Anni-Frid Lyngstad
Anni-Frid Lyngstad
Anni-Frid Prinzessin Reuss von Plauen , is a Norwegian-born Swedish pop singer...
's 1982 solo hit: "I Know There's Something Going On
I Know There's Something Going On
"I Know There's Something Going On" is a song recorded in 1982 by ABBA singer Anni-Frid Lyngstad . It was the lead single from her solo album Something's Going On. The song was a huge hit around the world during 1982 and 1983.-Song history:...
" (which was produced and featured drums played by Phil Collins
Phil Collins
Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
). The track reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100. He also penned "Can't Shake Loose
Can't Shake Loose
Can't Shake Loose is the name of a 1983 song from former ABBA star Agnetha Fältskog's solo album, Wrap Your Arms Around Me. It was the third single release in Europe and the first to be issued in the United States....
" for fellow ABBA former member, Agnetha Fältskog
Agnetha Fältskog
Agnetha Åse Fältskog is a Swedish recording artist. She achieved success in Sweden after the release of her début album Agnetha Fältskog in 1968, and reached international stardom as a member of the pop group ABBA, which to date has sold over 375 million records worldwide, making it the fourth...
, which peaked at #29 in the same listings.
His song "Voices" - from the album Russ Ballard - was featured in the Miami Vice
Miami Vice
Miami Vice is an American television series produced by Michael Mann for NBC. The series starred Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas as two Metro-Dade Police Department detectives working undercover in Miami. It ran for five seasons on NBC from 1984–1989...
episode "Calderone's Return: Part 2 - Calderone's Demise", which aired on 26 October 1984. The song was a brief hit on rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
s, peaking at #15 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. However, "Voices" stalled below the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #110. The song "In The Night", also from the Russ Ballard album, was featured in the episode "Calderone's Return: Part 1 - The Hit List". The show featured "Your Time Is Gonna Come" by Ballard later in its run.
"The Fire Still Burns", the title track of his 1985 album attained #15 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
In 1991 the song he co-wrote with John Waite
John Waite
John Charles Waite is an English rock singer and musician. He was lead vocalist for The Babys and Bad English. As a solo artist, he scored several international hits, including 1984's "Missing You", a top ten hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart, reaching #1 in the...
and Jonathan Cain, "So This Is Eden", appeared on Bad English
Bad English
Bad English was an American/British hard rock supergroup formed in 1988, reuniting keyboardist Jonathan Cain with singer John Waite and bassist Ricky Phillips, his former bandmates in The Babys.- History :...
's album, Backlash.
Ballard has also written and produced for Elkie Brooks
Elkie Brooks
Elkie Brooks is an English singer, formerly a vocalist with Vinegar Joe, and later a solo artist. Elkie has been nominated twice for Brit Awards' top female singer. She is known for her powerful husky voice...
, and more recently, acting as a talent scout, he "discovered" Lauren Harris
Lauren Harris
Lauren Harris is a British vocalist. She is the daughter of Iron Maiden bassist and founder Steve Harris. She was discovered in a pub by Russ Ballard, who was unaware of who she was.-Career:...
.
Ballard and Kiss
In addition to KissKISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
covering "God Gave Rock and Roll to You", retitled as "God Gave Rock 'n' Roll to You II
God Gave Rock 'N' Roll to You II
The video was filmed in Los Angeles, California in July 1991 and was directed by Mark Rezyka. It features the band playing in a room with flashbacks of Simmons and Stanley during the make-up era of Kiss's heyday. There were no prominent clips of Carr during the make-up years featured in the video,...
":
- Kiss drummer, Peter CrissPeter CrissGeorge Peter John Criscuola , better known as Peter Criss, is an American drummer and singer, best known as the original drummer for the rock band Kiss...
, recorded Ballard's "Let Me Rock You" and "Some Kinda Hurricane" on his 1982 Let Me Rock YouLet Me Rock YouLet Me Rock You is the third album released by former Kiss drummer Peter Criss. Due to poor sales for his previous album, Out of Control, Let Me Rock You was not released in the United States until 1997, when it was reissued on CD. The album was produced by Vini Poncia, who previously produced...
album. - Kiss guitarist, Ace FrehleyAce FrehleyPaul Daniel "Ace" Frehley is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Kiss. He took on the persona of the "Spaceman" or "Space Ace" when the band adopted costumes and theatrics...
, covered "New York GrooveNew York Groove"New York Groove" is a song written by Russ Ballard and first recorded by Hello in 1975 and later by Ace Frehley in 1978.-Hello:The British glam rock band Hello first recorded the song in 1975, for their debut album, Keeps Us Off The Streets...
" on his self-titled solo albumAce Frehley (album)Ace Frehley is a 1978 solo album from the lead guitarist and vocalist of American hard rock band Kiss. It was one of four solo albums released by the members of Kiss on September 18, 1978....
in 1978. Frehley's version reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and has been a regular staple of Kiss live performances, during tours in which Frehley has taken part. - During his non-Kiss years, Frehley also did a cover of the Ballard song "Into The Night", for his 1987 Frehley's CometFrehley's Comet (album)Frehley's Comet is the second solo release from Ace Frehley, former lead guitarist of Kiss. Frehley also named his band after the title of this album, and in this way it is also considered the self-titled first album credited to the band Frehley's Comet . It was the first album Frehley released...
album.
Ballard songs covered by other acts
- "Liar", recorded by ArgentArgent (band)Argent are an English rock band founded in 1969 by keyboardist Rod Argent, formerly of The Zombies.-Career:The first three demos from Argent, recorded in the autumn of 1968 featured Mac MacLeod on bass guitar though he was not meant to become a member of the group.Original members of the band were...
, and Three Dog NightThree Dog NightThree Dog Night is an American rock band best known for their music from 1968 to 1975. During that time the band charted 21 Billboard top 40 hits in America, three of which reached Number One...
. - "Cuckoo", recorded by Bay City RollersBay City RollersThe Bay City Rollers were a Scottish pop band who were most popular in the 1970s. The British Hit Singles & Albums noted that they were "tartan teen sensations from Edinburgh", and were "the first of many acts heralded as the 'Biggest Group since The Beatles' and one of the most screamed-at...
. - "God Gave Rock 'n' Roll to You", recorded by ArgentArgent (band)Argent are an English rock band founded in 1969 by keyboardist Rod Argent, formerly of The Zombies.-Career:The first three demos from Argent, recorded in the autumn of 1968 featured Mac MacLeod on bass guitar though he was not meant to become a member of the group.Original members of the band were...
, PetraPetra (band)Petra is a music group regarded as a pioneer of the Christian rock and contemporary Christian music genres. Formed in 1972, the band took its name from the Greek word for "rock"...
, and KissKISS (band)Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
. - "I Surrender", recorded by RainbowRainbow (band)Rainbow were an English rock band, controlled by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore from 1975 to 1984 and 1994 to 1997. It was originally established with American rock band Elf's members, though over the years Rainbow went through many line-up changes with no two studio albums featuring the same line-up...
, At VanceAt VanceAt Vance is a German power metal/Neo-classical metal band. They were formed by vocalist Oliver Hartmann and guitarist Olaf Lenk in 1998.-Biography:...
, and StratovariusStratovariusStratovarius are a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation they have released 13 studio albums and one live album. Along with Helloween, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire and Gamma Ray, Stratovarius are considered one of the leading groups of the power metal and symphonic...
. - "I Will Be ThereI Will Be There (EP)I Will Be There is an EP recorded by the British hard rock supergroup Gogmagog. It was their sole release. Although there were several positive reviews for the tracks, the project was abandoned when the EP failed to chart....
", recorded by GogmagogGogmagog (band)Gogmagog were a British supergroup put together by British record producer Jonathan King that featured former Iron Maiden members Paul Di'Anno and Clive Burr, former White Spirit and Gillan guitarist Janick Gers , original Def Leppard guitarist Pete Willis, and bassist Neil Murray, who has played...
. - "Into the Night", recorded by Frehley's CometFrehley's CometFrehley's Comet was an American rock band formed and led by ex-Kiss lead guitarist Ace Frehley. The group released two studio albums and one live EP before Ace Frehley left the band to release his 1989 solo album, Trouble Walkin. Before forming a band for his post-Kiss career, Frehley had previous...
. - "Just a Dream Away", recorded by Roger DaltreyRoger DaltreyRoger Harry Daltrey, CBE , is an English singer and actor, best known as the founder and lead singer of English rock band The Who. He has maintained a musical career as a solo artist and has also worked in the film industry, acting in a large number of films, theatre and television roles and also...
(Soundtrack album of McVicar-1980) - "Free Me", recorded by Roger DaltreyRoger DaltreyRoger Harry Daltrey, CBE , is an English singer and actor, best known as the founder and lead singer of English rock band The Who. He has maintained a musical career as a solo artist and has also worked in the film industry, acting in a large number of films, theatre and television roles and also...
.(Soundtrack album of McVicar-1980) - "My Time Is Gonna Come", recorded by Roger DaltreyRoger DaltreyRoger Harry Daltrey, CBE , is an English singer and actor, best known as the founder and lead singer of English rock band The Who. He has maintained a musical career as a solo artist and has also worked in the film industry, acting in a large number of films, theatre and television roles and also...
.(Soundtrack album of McVicar-1980) - "No More The Fool", by Elkie BrooksElkie BrooksElkie Brooks is an English singer, formerly a vocalist with Vinegar Joe, and later a solo artist. Elkie has been nominated twice for Brit Awards' top female singer. She is known for her powerful husky voice...
- "Let Me Rock You", recorded by Peter CrissPeter CrissGeorge Peter John Criscuola , better known as Peter Criss, is an American drummer and singer, best known as the original drummer for the rock band Kiss...
. - "New York GrooveNew York Groove"New York Groove" is a song written by Russ Ballard and first recorded by Hello in 1975 and later by Ace Frehley in 1978.-Hello:The British glam rock band Hello first recorded the song in 1975, for their debut album, Keeps Us Off The Streets...
", recorded by HelloHello (band)Hello is a Bell Records label, teen appeal glam rock band, based in England.-Career:The core of Hello was founded in about 1969, originally being called The Age. The band was started by Bob Bradbury, previously of The Flashback Berries, with Jeff Allen , Keith Marshall and Vic Faulkner...
, and Ace FrehleyAce FrehleyPaul Daniel "Ace" Frehley is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Kiss. He took on the persona of the "Spaceman" or "Space Ace" when the band adopted costumes and theatrics...
. - "On the Rebound", recorded by Uriah HeepUriah Heep (band)Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
. - "Riding With the Angels", recorded by SamsonSamson (band)Samson was a British hard rock band formed in 1977 by guitarist and vocalist Paul Samson. They are best known for their first three albums with future Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson, then known as "Bruce Bruce", and drummer Thunderstick , who wore a leather mask and performed on stage in a...
, and HereticHeretic (band)Heretic was an 80s speed/thrash metal band from Los Angeles, California. Its members were: Mike Howe, vocals; Dennis O'Harra, Bass; Brian Korban, Guitar; Rick Merrick, Drums; and Bobby Marquez, Guitar. The band released two albums before Howe joined Metal Church; following these releases, Heretic...
. - "Since You Been GoneSince You Been Gone"Since You Been Gone" is a 1970s rock song written and recorded by former Argent guitarist Russ Ballard for his 1976 album Winning. It has also been recorded by numerous other artists, including all-girl group Clout, Cherie Currie and Head East...
", recorded by Clout, Cherie CurrieCherie CurrieCherie Currie is an American singer, actress and chainsaw artist. Currie was the lead vocalist of The Runaways, a hard rock band from Los Angeles in the mid-to-late 1970s.-Life and career:...
, Head EastHead EastHead East is an American hard rock band originally from South Central Illinois. The band was formed by vocalist John Schlitt, guitarist Mike Somerville, keyboardist Roger Boyd, bassist Dan Birney, and drummer Steve Huston. They met and formed the band while studying at the University of Illinois,...
, RainbowRainbow (band)Rainbow were an English rock band, controlled by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore from 1975 to 1984 and 1994 to 1997. It was originally established with American rock band Elf's members, though over the years Rainbow went through many line-up changes with no two studio albums featuring the same line-up...
, AlcatrazzAlcatrazzAlcatrazz is an American heavy metal band formed in 1983 by Graham Bonnet, Jimmy Waldo and Gary Shea.-History:The band's initial line-up consisted of former Rainbow frontman Graham Bonnet, young Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen who had recently left American band Steeler, Gary Shea and Jimmy...
, ImpellitteriImpellitteriImpellitteri is a heavy metal band from USA formed and led by guitarist Chris Impellitteri. Since inception, the band has released numerous albums to critical praise, mainly due to Chris Impellitteri's speed/shred style of playing....
, and Brian MayBrian MayBrian Harold May, CBE is an English musician and astrophysicist most widely known as the guitarist and a songwriter of the rock band Queen...
. - "Some Kinda Hurricane", recorded by Peter CrissPeter CrissGeorge Peter John Criscuola , better known as Peter Criss, is an American drummer and singer, best known as the original drummer for the rock band Kiss...
. - "Is Anybody There", recorded by E. F. Band.(Deep Cut - 1982)
- "WinningWinning (Santana song)"Winning" is a song by Russ Ballard famously covered by Latin rock band Santana on their 1981 album, Zebop!. It is the sixth track on the album and was released as its third single with a promotional music video. The video shows the band performing on stage...
", recorded by SantanaSantana (band)Santana is a rock band based around guitarist Carlos Santana and founded in the late 1960s. It first came to public attention after their performing the song "Soul Sacrifice" at the Woodstock Festival in 1969, when their Latin rock provided a contrast to other acts on the bill...
. - "I Know There's Something Going OnI Know There's Something Going On"I Know There's Something Going On" is a song recorded in 1982 by ABBA singer Anni-Frid Lyngstad . It was the lead single from her solo album Something's Going On. The song was a huge hit around the world during 1982 and 1983.-Song history:...
", recorded by FridaAnni-Frid LyngstadAnni-Frid Prinzessin Reuss von Plauen , is a Norwegian-born Swedish pop singer...
. - "Can't Shake LooseCan't Shake LooseCan't Shake Loose is the name of a 1983 song from former ABBA star Agnetha Fältskog's solo album, Wrap Your Arms Around Me. It was the third single release in Europe and the first to be issued in the United States....
", recorded by Agnetha FältskogAgnetha FältskogAgnetha Åse Fältskog is a Swedish recording artist. She achieved success in Sweden after the release of her début album Agnetha Fältskog in 1968, and reached international stardom as a member of the pop group ABBA, which to date has sold over 375 million records worldwide, making it the fourth...
. - "Nothing Feels Good", recorded by Sam Roman.
- "So You Win AgainSo You Win Again"So You Win Again" is a popular single from the Hot Chocolate album Every 1's a Winner. The single was released in June 1977.Written by Russ Ballard and produced by Mickie Most, it is the band's sole UK number one single, spending three weeks at the top in July 1977, and one week as a NME...
", recorded by Hot Chocolate and South African band, Copperfield. - "Love Is a Game", recorded by GirlGirl (band)Girl were an English glam metal band formed in 1979, who split up in 1982 with band members going on to join Def Leppard and L.A. Guns among others.-History:The band's lead vocalist was Phil Lewis...
, and E. F. Band. - "You Can Do Magic", recorded by AmericaAmerica (band)America is an English-American folk rock band that originally included members Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell and Dan Peek. The three members were barely out of their teens when they became a musical sensation during 1972, scoring #1 hits and winning a Grammy for best new musical artist...
. - "Panic attack", recorded by Bert Heerink.(Better yet - 2009)
Discography
- 1974 Russ Ballard
- 1976 Winning - includes "Winning" (later covered by SantanaSantana (band)Santana is a rock band based around guitarist Carlos Santana and founded in the late 1960s. It first came to public attention after their performing the song "Soul Sacrifice" at the Woodstock Festival in 1969, when their Latin rock provided a contrast to other acts on the bill...
), "Since You Been GoneSince You Been Gone"Since You Been Gone" is a 1970s rock song written and recorded by former Argent guitarist Russ Ballard for his 1976 album Winning. It has also been recorded by numerous other artists, including all-girl group Clout, Cherie Currie and Head East...
" (Head EastHead EastHead East is an American hard rock band originally from South Central Illinois. The band was formed by vocalist John Schlitt, guitarist Mike Somerville, keyboardist Roger Boyd, bassist Dan Birney, and drummer Steve Huston. They met and formed the band while studying at the University of Illinois,...
, RainbowRainbow (band)Rainbow were an English rock band, controlled by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore from 1975 to 1984 and 1994 to 1997. It was originally established with American rock band Elf's members, though over the years Rainbow went through many line-up changes with no two studio albums featuring the same line-up...
, AlcatrazzAlcatrazzAlcatrazz is an American heavy metal band formed in 1983 by Graham Bonnet, Jimmy Waldo and Gary Shea.-History:The band's initial line-up consisted of former Rainbow frontman Graham Bonnet, young Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen who had recently left American band Steeler, Gary Shea and Jimmy...
, ImpellitteriImpellitteriImpellitteri is a heavy metal band from USA formed and led by guitarist Chris Impellitteri. Since inception, the band has released numerous albums to critical praise, mainly due to Chris Impellitteri's speed/shred style of playing....
, Brian MayBrian MayBrian Harold May, CBE is an English musician and astrophysicist most widely known as the guitarist and a songwriter of the rock band Queen...
), and "Just a Dream Away" (Roger DaltreyRoger DaltreyRoger Harry Daltrey, CBE , is an English singer and actor, best known as the founder and lead singer of English rock band The Who. He has maintained a musical career as a solo artist and has also worked in the film industry, acting in a large number of films, theatre and television roles and also...
) - 1978 At the Third Stroke
- 1980 Barnet Dogs - includes "Riding With the Angels" (later covered by SamsonSamson (band)Samson was a British hard rock band formed in 1977 by guitarist and vocalist Paul Samson. They are best known for their first three albums with future Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson, then known as "Bruce Bruce", and drummer Thunderstick , who wore a leather mask and performed on stage in a...
, HereticHeretic (band)Heretic was an 80s speed/thrash metal band from Los Angeles, California. Its members were: Mike Howe, vocals; Dennis O'Harra, Bass; Brian Korban, Guitar; Rick Merrick, Drums; and Bobby Marquez, Guitar. The band released two albums before Howe joined Metal Church; following these releases, Heretic...
) - U.S.United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Billboard 200Billboard 200The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
#187 - 1981 Into The Fire - with The Barnet Dogs
- 1984 Russ Ballard - Billboard 200 #147. This second self-titled album includes "Voices".
- 1985 The Fire Still Burns - Billboard 200 #166. This album includes "The Fire Still Burns" and "Into the Night" (which later became a semi-hit for Frehley's CometFrehley's CometFrehley's Comet was an American rock band formed and led by ex-Kiss lead guitarist Ace Frehley. The group released two studio albums and one live EP before Ace Frehley left the band to release his 1989 solo album, Trouble Walkin. Before forming a band for his post-Kiss career, Frehley had previous...
) - 1993 The Seer
- 2006 Book of Love
External links
- [ Russ Ballard biography and discography] at Allmusic websiteWebsiteA website, also written as Web site, web site, or simply site, is a collection of related web pages containing images, videos or other digital assets. A website is hosted on at least one web server, accessible via a network such as the Internet or a private local area network through an Internet...