Russ Ballard was born in 1945 and this year he celebrates his 80th birthday. He is simply one of the most renowned and gifted songwriters in pop and rock music.
Originally rising to prominence as the lead singer and guitarist of the band Argent, Ballard became a prolific songwriter and producer by the late 1970s. His compositions "New York Groove", "You Can Do Magic", "Since You Been Gone", "I Surrender", "Liar", "Winning", "I Know There's Something Going On", "Can't Shake Loose", "So You Win Again", "No More the Fool" and "God Gave Rock and Roll to You" became hits for other artists during the 1970s and 1980s. He also scored several hits under his own name in the early and mid-1980s.
Russ was initially a guitarist, joining Buster Meikle & The Day Breakers in 1961 together with his older brother Roy and their friend the drummer Bob Henrit. After a stint with The Roulettes, backing Adam Faith, he then went on to join Unit 4 + 2 in 1967, 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", which would later be covered by KISS.
Russ is well known as the vocalist on Argent's smash hit “Hold Your Head Up" and also wrote the hit single for Colin Blunstone "I Don't Believe in Miracles".
