Veteran British songwriter and ex-Argent singer/guitarist Russ Ballard has released a new two-part solo album featuring brand-new songs and updated versions of classic older tunes he wrote that were hits for various other artists.
The double album, titled Songs from the Warehouse/The Hits Rewired, arrived on Friday, April 25. The 26-track collection is available as a two-CD set, a two-LP vinyl package, and via digital formats.
Videos by American Songwriter
Among the songs featured on The Hits Rewired are his new versions of tunes he wrote that were recorded by such artists as Three Dog Night, Rainbow, Ace Frehley, Roger Daltrey, Santana, America, and ABBA vocalist Frida (Anni-Frid Lyngstad).
Ballard began his career as a teenager in the 1960s, writing a song at age 14 for the popular U.K. band The Shadows. Also during the 1960s, he played with the British bands The Roulettes and Unit 4 + 2. From 1969 to 1976, Ballard was a member of keyboardist/singer Rod Argent’s post-Zombies group Argent. Russ was the band’s co-lead vocalist, guitarist and contributing songwriter.
[RELATED: 5 Top-40 Hits Argent Vocalist Russ Ballard Wrote for Other Artists]
Ballard sang lead on the band’s biggest hit, “Hold Your Head Up,” and wrote the popular U.K. single “God Gave Rock and Roll to You,” which KISS later covered in 1992.
After leaving Argent in 1974, Russ launched a solo career. Meanwhile, throughout the 1970s and 1980s, he established himself as a successful songwriter.
About the Hits Ballard Wrote That Also Appear on His New Album
Here’s a partial list of the songs featured on The Hits Rewired and the artists who famously record them: “Since You’ve Been Gone” (Rainbow), “Winning” (Santana), “God Gave Rock and Roll to You” (Argent, KISS), “New York Groove” (Ace Frehley), “You Can Do Magic” (America), “Liar” (Three Dog Night), “I Know There’s Something Going On” (Frida), “I Surrender” (Rainbow), “So You Win Again” (Hot Chocolate), and “Free Me” (Roger Daltrey).
Music videos for Ballard’s new versions of “New York Groove,” “God Gave Rock and Roll to You,” and “Since You’ve Been Gone” have been posted on the Frontiers Music label’s YouTube channel.
Two New Ballard Songs Were Released as Advance Tracks
Ballard also has released two new tunes from Songs from the Warehouse as advance tracks, “Resurrection” and “Courageous.”
Music videos for both songs also are streaming now on the Frontiers Music’s YouTube channel.
Russ said about “Resurrection,” “[It was a] last minute addition to the album. Roly [Jones, the guitarist in his band,] 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.”
Ballard’s 2025 Tour Plans
Ballard has lined up an eight-date spring tour of Germany and Switzerland with his solo band. The trek begins April 28 in Hamburg, Germany, and is scheduled through a May 8 concert in Rubigen, Switzerland. Ballard and his band also will perform on July 26 at Die Mosbacher Rock Night festival in Mosbach, Germany.
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