Classic Rock Bottom

RUSS BALLARD APPRECIATION THREAD

Since he came up on another thread yesterday, I thought I'd start a Russ Ballard appreciation thread.  Below you'll find a video playlist of songs he wrote that were recorded by others as well as a few of his recordings and a biography.

Russell Glyn Ballard (born 31 October 1945, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, England[1]) is an English singer, songwriter and musician.

Career

Ballard (ex Rick Nicholl and the Rebels) was initially a guitarist (Hofner Club 60), appearing stage left, with Buster Meikle & The Day Breakers in 1961, together with Roy Ballard, Russ's older brother on piano playing behind him, Bernie Benson on bass to the right 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 (along with Henrit, who joined as drummer), writing their hit "God Gave Rock and Roll to You",[1] which would later be covered by both Petraand 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 1974 and pursued a solo and songwriting career. He wrote such hits as Three Dog Night's "Liar,"[1] originally recorded by Argent, Hot Chocolate's 1977 UK chart topper "So You Win Again",[2] andRainbow'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".

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 hisUnder 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.[3] "New York Groove" would also be recorded three years later by Ace Frehley, who turned the tune into a stateside hit.

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.

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.

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[when?], acting as a talent scout, he "discovered" Lauren Harris.

[edit]Solo recordings

As a solo artist, Ballard charted once on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, when "On the Rebound" reached #58 in 1980.[1] Progressive rock band Uriah Heep covered "On the Rebound" in 1982 on their album,Abominog.

Another notable solo hit, "Voices" - from his second self-titled album (1984) - 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 stations, peaking at #15 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. However, "Voices" stalled below the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #110. Another song from the same album, "In The Night" was featured in the episode "Calderone's Return: Part 1 - The Hit List." The show also 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.[4]

[edit]Ballard and Kiss

In addition to Kiss covering "God Gave Rock and Roll to You", retitled as "God Gave Rock 'n' Roll to You II":

  • Kiss drummer, Peter Criss, recorded Ballard's "Let Me Rock You" and "Some Kinda Hurricane" on his 1982 Let Me Rock You album.
  • Kiss guitarist, Ace Frehley, covered "New York Groove" on his self-titled solo album 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 Comet album.

[edit]Ballard songs covered by other acts

[edit]Solo Discography

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