It seems like a mighty long way until October, but here’s a good reason for hanging on in there – Russ Ballard has just been added to the calender of concerts late this year at the Harmonie in Bonn on 1 October.
Ballard’s music career began at the tender age of 14 when he wrote a song that was recorded by The Shadows that ended up on their 1964 album ‘The Sound Of The Shadows’. Over the coming years he appeared in Adam Faith’s band and went on to write classic songs for many artists.
How’s this for a songwriting CV?: ‘Since You Been Gone’ (Rainbow), ‘God Gave Rock’n’Roll To You‘ (Argent and Kiss), ‘You Win Again’ (Hot Chocolate), ‘New York Groove’ (Hello and Ace Frehley), ‘You Can Do Magic’ (America), ‘Winning’ (Santana) ‘I Don’t Believe In Miracles’ (Colin Blunstone). A veritable jamboree bag of monster songs indeed. Ballard has also produced for countless top names – including Roger Daltrey, America, and Elkie Brooks.
He first came to prominence as a singer and guitarist in his own right with 70’s glam popsters ‘The Roulettes’, who were Adam Faith’s band in the 60s. After a stopover with ‘Unit 4+2’, he became the lead singer with ‘Argent’ in the early 70s. In 1974 he started his solo career with the release of his first album, simply titled ‘Russ Ballard’. Since then Ballard has released 9 studio albums, even getting television credits – 3 songs from his albums released in 1984 and 1985 were used in the world famous TV series ‘Miami Vice’ as well as being played in Europe’s clubs at the time.
It’s been fourteen years, but Russ Ballard is back with a new album – ‘It’s Good To Be Here’ (release on BMG UK)