Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

October 31, 1945 in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, England

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Russ Ballard is a British musician, singer, and songwriter who has made significant contributions to the world of rock and pop music. He was born on October 31, 1945, in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, England. Ballard grew up in a musical family, and his father was a jazz musician who played the trumpet. He started playing the guitar at a young age and was influenced by the music of Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and Buddy Holly. Ballard began his music career in the 1960s as a member of the band The Roulettes. The band was signed to the record label Parlophone and released several singles, including "The Long Cigarette," "Bad Time," and "Junk." However, the band did not achieve significant commercial success, and Ballard left the band in 1969. After leaving The Roulettes, Ballard joined the band Argent as a guitarist and songwriter. Argent was formed by former members of the band The Zombies, and they achieved success with their hit single "Hold Your Head Up" in 1972. Ballard contributed to the band's success by writing several of their songs, including "God Gave Rock and Roll to You," which was later covered by Kiss. In 1974, Ballard left Argent to pursue a solo career. He released his debut album, "Russ Ballard," in 1975, which featured the hit single "Fly Away." The album was well-received by critics and helped establish Ballard as a solo artist. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Ballard continued to release solo albums and write songs for other artists. He wrote the hit song "Since You've Been Gone" for Rainbow in 1979, which became one of their most popular songs. He also wrote the song "I Know There's Something Going On" for Frida, the lead singer of ABBA, in 1982. The song was a commercial success and reached the top ten in several countries. In addition to his work as a songwriter, Ballard also composed music for films and television. He wrote the theme song for the James Bond film "The Living Daylights" in 1987, which was performed by a-ha. He also composed music for the television series "Miami Vice" and "Baywatch." Ballard's music is characterized by his use of catchy melodies and guitar-driven rock. His songs often feature upbeat rhythms and memorable hooks that have made them popular with audiences around the world. His music has been covered by numerous artists, including Santana, Ace Frehley, and Pat Benatar. Despite his success as a songwriter and musician, Ballard has remained relatively unknown to the general public. He has never achieved the same level of fame as some of his contemporaries, such as David Bowie or Elton John. However, his contributions to the world of rock and pop music have been significant, and his music continues to be enjoyed by fans around the world. In conclusion, Russ Ballard is a talented musician and songwriter who has made significant contributions to the world of rock and pop music. He has written hit songs for numerous artists and has composed music for films and television. His music is characterized by catchy melodies and guitar-driven rock, and his songs continue to be popular with audiences around the world. Despite his relative lack of fame, Ballard's music has had a lasting impact on the world of music, and his legacy as a songwriter and musician is secure.

More....