Russ Ballard tickets

'Since You’ve Been Gone’, ‘You Can Do Magic’, ‘New York Groove’, ‘So You Win Again’, ‘No More The Fool’, ‘Liar’… Russ Ballard’s songs are on permanent heavy rotation the world over. His own first hit record was ‘God Gave Rock and Roll to You’ [memorably turned into a global mega-hit by Kiss] with his band Argent in 1974, but his songs have been recorded by everyone from Rainbow to Hot Chocolate to America to Elkie Brooksto Three Dog Night and many, many more. However, with ‘It’s Good To Be Here’, released on 21 February 2020 via BMG, Russ has saved some absolutely stunning material for himself – and also reworked those incredible era-defining classics ‘Since You’ve Been Gone’, ‘You Can Do Magic’ and ‘New York Groove’.

Russ has lived an extraordinary life and charted a course that has seen him rub shoulders with many of the key figures in the music world; and it began with him running in his local rock ‘n’ roll scene in Buster Meikle and the Daybreakers [with his brother Roy and drummer Bob Hendrit]. Scouted by Helen Shapiro’s producer Norrie Paramor, he got his first taste of the recording studio at Abbey Road where the band were invited to audition. Russ also auditioned for Joe Meek before revealing that he didn’t actually want to join the band on offer! Russ went pro with Adam Faith’s band The Roulettes at the peak of their Pop fame, before once again teaming up with Bob in Argent. Argent enjoyed success and toured extensively, but Russ’ first hit song was neither for them, nor in the UK; it came with ‘Liar’ for Three Dog Night in the States! When the joy of playing with Argent faded, Russ left and turned full time to songwriting and solo work. The thrill of creativity has never left him and he has enjoyed fruitful collaborations with the likes of Santana, both Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Agnetha Faltskog of ABBA, Roger Daltrey and many more.

His new album ‘It’s Good To Be Here’ is out now.

Tickets £17 stbf. Over 18s