Russ Ballard is one of the UK’s most successful songwriters, who has penned many, many hits which are part of the soundtrack to millions of people’s lives.
The 79-year-old originally from from Hertfordshire is also a talented solo artist in his own right, with his 11th solo album, “Songs From The Warehouse / The Hits Rewired”, slated for release via Frontiers Music Srl on 18th April 2025.
The new single and official video, “Resurrection”, have just been released, follow-up to a super revisited version of his famous hit “God Gave Rock N’ Roll To You”, along with a new music video.
The incoming double album features brand new songs on CD # 1, which prove the man is still writing top class tracks – while the second CD includes brand new recordings of famous hits either penned or performed by him across his lengthy career which began in 1960.
Russ expresses his excitement for the release: “It’s a buzz releasing a new album. What started as my ‘Lockdown-tapes’ during the pandemic, became an album. During lockdown, my studio was a life-saver for me, and I found new ways of writing and recording. The result gives the listeners a good insight into this time…”
Talking about the new single, “Resurrection”, he says: “A last minute addition to the album. Roly [Roly Jones a bandmate], who wrote the song together with me, said that ‘Resurrection’ would be a cool song title. That simple. It turned out to be too good to miss it on the album. A true rocker.”
Russ Ballard’s music career started when he was only 14 years old and he wrote a tune which was recorded by the Shadows, appearing on their album “The Sound Of The Shadows” in 1964.
During the 70’s and 80’s, his songs ruled the airwaves and the list of hits is long. From “Since You Been Gone” (Rainbow), “God Gave Rock’n’Roll To You” (Argent and Kiss), “So You Win Again” (Hot Chocolate), “New York Groove” (Hello and Ace Frehley), “You Can Do Magic” (America), “Winning” (Santana) or “I Don’t Believe In Miracles” (Colin Blunstone), to name just a few, everyone who needed a great song called Russ.
Numerous records and artists were also produced by him, such as Roger Daltrey, America, Elkie Brooks, Skindred and Sada Vidoo. In 1974, he started a solo career – after his stint with the band Argent in the early 1970’s – which had its highest momentum with the “S/t” album in 1984, which included the hit single “Voices”, and the follow-up “The Fire Still Burns”.
Since then Russ has released 10 studio albums and is still writing and producing hits. Three songs of his 1984 and 1985 albums were featured in the hit US TV cop show “Miami Vice” and were extensively played on dance floors around Europe.
“Songs From The Warehouse / The Hits Rewired” Tracklist:
CD1
1. Resurrection
2. Courageous
3. Journey Man
4. The One Who Breathes Me
5. The Wild
6. Charlatan
7. Soul Music
8. Sleepwalking
9. Last Man Standing
10. Make Believe World
11. The Family Way
12. Fearless
13. The Last AmenCD2
1. Since You’ve Been Gone
2. Winning
3. God Gave Rock And Roll To You
4. Voices
5. New York Groove
6. You Can Do Magic
7. Liar
8. I Know There’s Something Going On
9. I Surrender
10. No More The Fool
11. So You Win Again
12. Free Me
13. On The Rebound
Russ Ballard describes his song “God Gave Rock ‘N’ Roll To You” by saying: “It reflected the optimism I felt at the time, with lines like ‘love your friend, love your neighbour, love your life and love your labour, it’s never too late to change your mind’.
“It was a hit for Argent and a hit for Kiss 18 years later when it was included in the film ‘Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey’.”
Russ Ballard’s “Track Record”…
1. First song you recall hearing as a child?
Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata”.
2. First single you owned?
“Summertime Blues” by Eddie Cochran.
3. First LP/album you owned?
“King Creole” by Elvis Presley.
4. First CD you owned?
“Shango” by Santana.
5. Last music you bought and in what format (CD/vinyl/digital download)?
“I Can’t Stand The Rain” by Anne Peebles (In vinyl).
6. Which album would you be happy to receive as a gift?
Alex Hepburn: “Things I’ve Seen”.
7. Favourite album? (Choose more than one if need be…)
Living Colour: “Love Rears It’s Ugly Head.”
8. Best record ever made (can be single/album/EP – and choose more than one if need be)
The Beatles: “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”.
9. Guilty secret (or anything unusual or perhaps unexpected) in your music collection?
“Symphony No. 2” by Rachmaninoff.
10. What does music mean to you and how does it make you feel?
So many emotions: Bliss. Excitement. It can be moving.
11. Which song or album is a guaranteed mood booster?
“Alright Now” by Free.
12. Which song or album would be the soundtrack to a film about your life?
Tragedy!!!
13. Your favourite driving track – or music to exercise to?
“Mr. Brightside” by The Killers.
14. Best song or album for a romantic moment?
“Atom Heart Mother” by Pink Floyd.
15. Which song was played for the “First Dance” at your wedding (if you are married) or which song would you choose if you did get married?
“The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” by Roberta Flack.
16. Your choice of song to sing at karaoke?
“Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” by Jerry Lee Lewis.
17. Which song takes you back to your childhood – and to which specific memory/memories?
“Be-Bop-a-Lula”. It was sung in a movie by Gene Vincent and the Blue Cats, and the film was called ‘The Girl Can’t Help It’.
18. Favourite band (or bands)?
Free.
19. Favourite singer (or singers)?
Little Richard.
20. Which song would you like played at your funeral?
“Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” by Jerry Lee Lewis.
Russ Ballard portrait photos x 5 by Sven Kramer
