Russ Ballard: The Man Behind the Hits and His Exciting New Double Album (Podcast)
Russ Ballard is one of rock music’s most prolific songwriters, with a career that spans decades and has yielded countless classic anthems. From his early days in Argent to penning hits for Rainbow, Kiss, Hot Chocolate, Santana, Uriah Heep, Roger Daltrey, and many others, Russ’s songs have shaped the soundtrack of rock history. Now, he’s back with a brand-new double album on Frontiers Records called Songs from the Warehouse & The Hits Rewired, featuring 13 fresh new tracks plus 13 re-recorded versions of his most iconic songs.
Below, you’ll find highlights from our interview on the Now Spinning Magazine podcast, in which Russ discusses his songwriting process, the stories behind some of his best-loved tunes, and why these new releases are so special.
A Lifetime of Songwriting
Russ’s passion for songwriting stretches all the way back to his time with Argent. Even after leaving the band, he continued to write non-stop, eventually becoming a go-to songwriter for many major rock acts. Classic tunes such as “Since You’ve Been Gone,” “I Surrender,” and “Winning” all originated from Russ’s pen, later achieving massive success when recorded by Rainbow, Hot Chocolate, Santana, and others.
Despite creating so many songs that skyrocketed on the charts under other artists’ names, Russ never wrote with a particular band in mind. In most cases, he composed material for himself—only to discover, sometimes years later, that other musicians saw the potential in his demos and turned them into massive hits.
The New Album: Songs from the Warehouse & The Hits Rewired
Russ’s new release is actually two albums in one package:
Songs from the Warehouse – A collection of 13 new (to us) songs, many of them written or completed during the lockdown period.
The Hits Rewired – Thirteen re-recordings of Russ’s classic tracks, including “Since You’ve Been Gone,” “Winning,” “God Gave Rock and Roll to You,” “I Surrender,” and more. This time, you hear them as Russ himself intended.
He explains that fans and friends had been urging him for years to release an album of his greatest hits—his own takes on the songs made famous by other people. With plenty of new music already in the pipeline, he realized the time was perfect to share both sets of tracks together.
Behind the Songs
“Courageous”
One of the lead singles from Songs from the Warehouse, “Courageous” was inspired by a moving BBC news segment featuring a young girl caring for her family. Russ was so touched by the story that he felt compelled to write an uplifting, anthemic track dedicated to caregivers everywhere.
“Since You’ve Been Gone”
Russ originally recorded it himself back in 1975, but Rainbow’s 1978 version sent the track stratospheric. In the States, bands like Head East and others also had hits with it. Russ’s new version on The Hits Rewired shows how timeless this rocker truly is.
“Winning”
Famously performed by Santana, this track’s lyrics—about pulling through difficult times—reflect Russ’s own journey in music. He has always felt it’s a personal anthem, and the new rendition lets fans experience it directly from its creator.
“New York Groove”
Written in a spontaneous two-hour demo session for the band Hello, “New York Groove” took on another life when Kiss’s Ace Frehley recorded it. Russ recalls stamping feet on a table to capture the beat and making up the song line by line in the studio.
Touring and the Iconic Guitar
Russ is heading out for shows in Germany, backed by a formidable band: Mark Raps on keyboards, PJ Phillips on bass, Rowley Jones on guitar, and John Miller on drums. Fans can also look out for his trademark Fender Stratocaster, modified with circular holes that give it a distinct look. Russ first had it customized back in the ‘60s, and it’s been a visual signature ever since.
Looking Ahead
With Songs from the Warehouse & The Hits Rewired, Russ Ballard once again proves the power of a great melody and honest lyric. For new listeners and lifelong fans alike, this two-in-one album is a reminder of how many classic tunes he has contributed to rock’s tapestry—and how much fresh inspiration still drives his music today.
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
