Although relatively low key on the international Rock scene as a solo act, RUSS BALLARD, born in Waltham Cross in Hertfordshire, has scored numerous major smash hits with other artists, his songs being employed by many high profile acts. A pivotal member of ARGENT from 1970 to 1975, a succession of solo albums followed Russ Ballard's entry into solo artist territory. Ballard had made his entry into the Rock n' Roll arena with RICK NICHOLL AND THE REBELS, THE DAYBREAKERS and subsequently as part of Adam Faith's band THE ROULLETES.

The 1978 album, 'At The Third Stroke' produced by Keith Olsen, featured guests David Paich, Jeff and Mike Porcaro from TOTO with Mike Baird also on session drums. Strangely Ballard's solo work met little acclaim, that is, until Ballard's undoubted song-writing prowess was seized upon by acts such as AMERICA ('The Border' and 'You Can Do Magic'), RAINBOW ('I Surrender' and 'Since You've Been Gone'), ROGER DALTREY ('Come And Get Your Love' and 'Free Me'), GRAHAM BONNET ('Liar'), ABBA's Frida, HOT CHOCOLATE, SAMSON, SANTANA and KISS guitarist ACE FREHLEY ('New York Groove'). With such artists many of Ballard's songs made their way high into the singles charts worldwide.

Ballard continued to produce solo albums into the 80s and 1984's 'Russ Ballard' album featured veteran session drummer Simon Phillips, ex-FANCY and MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP bassist Mo Foster and keyboard player Greg Sanders. For the following year's 'The Fire Still Burns' Ballard utilized drummers Stuart Elliot and Mike Richardson.

Ballard stayed low key throughout the 90's but did put in an appearance on ROBERT HART's second album in 1992. He made a comeback as a solo artist in 1994 with 'The Seer', but success in this field still eludes the man. His presence as a songwriter would be felt on the 2002 'Fight' opus of leading German Metal queen DORO. He also featured on THUNDER's 2005 album, 'The Magnificent Seventh', on a co-composition with guitarist Luke Morley for the track 'One Fatal Kiss'.

Ballard would work on fostering the talents of a singer he spotted in a London pub, LAUREN HARRIS, recording demos for her not knowing that she was, in fact, the oldest daughter of IRON MAIDEN bassist Steve Harris.