Tag Archives: Argent

RUSS BALLARD – Songs From The Warehouse / the Hits Rewired: Interview

Leave a comment
Photo – Jan Heesch, Frankfurt 04/24

For many classic rock fans the name RUSS BALLARD is more associated to a number of hits that his name appeared on as a songwriter, but really Russ Ballard has been writing and performing since the mid-60s. From Hertfordshire, England, Russ joined ARGENT (lead by former ZOMBIE Rod Argent), as a singer, guitarist and writer. He wrote a number of Argent classics, notably “Liar” and “God Gave Rock and Roll To You”. Ballard left Argent in 1974 after 5 studio and albums and 1 double live release, and released his first (self-titled) solo album later that year. Over the next decade he would release 6 more. His solo career didn’t take off as much in North America (even though all his records were released here and solo respectably), but a number of his songs would become big hits (and in many cases breakout hits) for a wide range of pop and rock acts. Chances are if you bought a lot of LPs in the late 70s and 80s, you likely have Russ Ballard’s name in your collection, somewhere!

On April 25 Frontiers will release Russ Ballard’s latest recordings, a double feature – Songs From The Warehouse and the Hits Rewired. The first disc is all new songs from Ballard and the second disc is his new recordings of those songs made famous by other artists. The new and the old material sounds outstanding, with new favorites like “Resurrection”, “The Wild”, and “Make Believe World” all showing Ballard (at 79) still writes catchy and timely rock tunes (as well as singing and playing everything himself!), as well as nicely updated takes of his classics like “New York Groove”, “You Can Do Magic” and “Voices”.

Below is from my conversation with Russ Ballard on his new recordings, as well as a bit of his past, including Argent, and some of the songs he wrote back then. After finishing this interview I immediately thought of 101 other things I could’ve or should’ve brought up, but hey – this guy is legendary! Check it out below, as well as the song links I’ve included, and links to Russ Ballard’s new album and websites at the end.

The new album, you’ve done it in two parts.

Well, the Songs From The Warehouse are all new songs. And obviously, the Rewired songs, I’ve had some of them for many, many years because they’ve been recorded by other people or whatever. But Rewired are songs that have been hits by other people, basically. And a couple that I’ve done now.

So, first of all, the new recordings – Can you tell me a bit about how long you’ve come up with these songs? Because I think your last album has probably been a while, correct?

Yeah, the last one was four, five years ago. The songs are usually story songs; there’s quite a few. I’ve been telling people that as you get older, it’s difficult to write so many love songs. I know love songs are very popular and kind of universal, basically, aren’t they(!?) – Love songs, everyone loves a love song. Everybody falls in love, everybody falls out of love, usually. But it’s harder to write love songs as you get older – ‘I love you… Don’t love you. I want you back…. I don’t want you back. Don’t leave me…’  It’s very difficult when you get older. So, I mean, I’m trying to find vehicles to write, stories. Find words, find things that I could turn into a song, basically. There’s one on it called “Courageous”. Courageous came from a news item on the BBC. When I was watching this item, it was a good feeling news item at the end of the usual sort of sad news. They left it with a good feel, a good feeling. They ended up with this girl; It’s all about the family. This girl was about 12 years old. She had a sister who was 8 years old, and a brother who was about 5 years old. The mother had multiple sclerosis, so she was in a wheelchair. This girl had to look after the whole of the family. And she was just amazing; she sort of got up, gave the kids breakfast, bathed the kids, bathed the mother, dressed the mother, dressed the kids. Then you see her walk into school holding the hands of the two kids. So I had to write a song about her, but I saw that news item about 7 years ago. It was an amazing story.  

I don’t know if it’s just from the song titles and some of the lyrics, that there’s a bit more of a spiritual basis in this album!?

I find the spiritual area, it’s an area that I’ve used before and I love it because I think it’s where I’m coming from, basically. I like it. There’s so much out here, to write in spirit, you know – ‘feeling good, feeling bad’ and ‘there’s always another day’ and ‘that’s how it is’, you know.’ If you’re feeling down now – tomorrow you’re going to feel good.’

“Resurrection” – that was an obvious single, that one jumps out at you after, it’s kind of an interesting intro you got there, with the vocal…

Yeah. (Russ sings a bit of the intro) You have to get the hook in really early, if that’s possible.

I think even some of the other songs, there’s good cross-section of influences, with songs like “Fearless” and “Soul Music”.

Yeah.

It’s not just pop stuff…

Yeah it’s nice to go places you haven’t been before. I play the piano, I play the guitar, I can play the instruments and it’s nice to find a vehicle. I mean, soul music, it was such an obvious, such an obvious thing to write about – ‘You are soul music, we are soul music, you are soul music.’  And I thought that…it’s nice to find something that was, ‘new’, as far as I’m concerned. I don’t know of another song called “Soul Music”;  there probably is, I’m sure.

Do you find yourself writing more for yourself now, as opposed to writing with hopes that other people might record your songs, or…?

Yeah… You know how it is, I think that younger people, when I was growing up, I was the same age as everybody I was writing with. But as you get older, I don’t think younger kids, maybe they don’t want to write with you, because you’re older. So, they write with people their own age, which makes sense. You want to write for somebody older, you want to write for somebody that’s listening to the same music as you, so you want to, and that makes sense to me. But I could do it, I know I could do that, I’m pretty sure, but people don’t come to you as much as you get older.

So, did you separate the new stuff and the old stuff when it came to recording – did you do all of one album first, then the other?

Yeah, I basically did the new songs first, and then decided to do some, ‘rewired’.  The idea was to just do songs that had been done by other people, but I’d recorded most of those songs before. I’d done them as demos, or I’d done them as masters, and it goes back to “Winning”, “Since You Been Gone”,  I recorded those songs myself, and I had them out in the 70s, a lot of those songs were done. “So You Win Again” was number one for Hot Chocolate in the UK, and that was 1977. So, I did a really good demo for that in 1976. I just kept them basically the same as I made the demos.

Do you find you’re kind of reclaiming these songs in a way, that they’ve all been hits for other people, and not so much for yourself?

I wrote them for myself, to be honest. I only ever wrote two songs, two of those hit songs, when people came to me and asked me to write a song, and one was “New York Groove”, and the other one was “You Can Do Magic” by America. I didn’t write them for me, I wrote “You Can Do Magic” for America, and I wrote “New York Groove” for an English band (Hello), and Ace Frehley recorded that.

When you re-recorded some of these, did you, knowing some of the other versions (like the Rainbow version) did you ever go back and think you liked their arrangement, and did that have any kind of influence on your new versions?

Yeah, because when I did it, I wrote it on the piano. When I went to the studio, it was natural just to play the piano, and I’d go ‘let’s take it’, and I’m playing the piano, which is softer, the piano is always softer than the guitar. When I heard the Rainbow version, I thought they’d actually seen that song better than me. So that’s how I do it when I’m on the stage as well, I do it the same as them.

I think Head East had done it first, and I think that’s where Rainbow got the idea from, from what I read.

Yeah, that’s where they got it from.

So, “Liar” was kind of your first big hit, written for somebody else; that somebody covered!?

Well I wrote an instrumental when I was 14, and that was recorded by The Shadows in the UK, and that was on an album that was a top ten album. But that was an instrumental band, so my first tune I ever wrote was an instrumental. But that did well, and once that had been out, and I thought ‘well if they want me to do it, I must be able to do it’. After that I was writing all the time, trying to write different things, different ideas.

Was it ever kind of frustrating (if that’s the word), I mean over here, people know your name from the songs they see your name attached to, as opposed to you as a solo artist. Did you ever kind of think ‘well why wasn’t this a hit for me, but everything’s kind of been a hit for somebody else?’

Yeah, it did enter my head, but I think, on some of those songs that you listen to a certain one ‘well I could do that, I could improve that song, that demo’… whatever. So I think that’s what people have done. And there’s some really good versions of my tunes out there.

Do you think you’ve heard all of them?

I don’t know. That’s an interesting one (laughs), There’s been a hell of a lot of versions of my songs out there.

But, between all those ones, “Voices” – there’s a band called Wonderworld that did that a couple years ago. Obviously, Uriah Heep, I’m a big fan of their’s, they did “On The Rebound”. Yeah, so there’s lots of stuff out there.

Ronnie Romero did “Voices” as well, he did Voices on his last album, he did that. I saw Ronnie two weeks ago, less than two weeks ago, Sunday before last, and he did “Since You Been Gone”, I was on the stage and he came up with me and he did Since You Been Gone and we sang it together, which was really nice. He’s going to do it; he’s going to do it.  I’ve sent him another song, he wants to do another song of mine. I’m still doing it Kevin, I’m still loving it, same as ever.

Aside from the obvious, like the Rainbow version of “Since You Been Gone”, what have been kind of your favorites of covers of your own songs? Aside from the Ace Frehley and the Rainbow, the ones that were the biggest, I guess.

I think a really good version, talking about Kiss, Ace Frehley, I think that “God Gave Rock and Roll To You” was very good. They saw it so well. They had the right tempo, they saw it really, really well. So that’s Bob Ezrin, I think, produced them. That was really good, that was a good one. There’s been others, Colin Blunstone did a couple of my songs and he saw those really well, from the Zombies. Hot Chocolate did a song of mine, it wasn’t a big hit in America, it was called “So You Win Again”. I did a demo which I thought was really good, they made their version slower, but they got to number one in the UK and that was a really good version.

Did you ever hear the Heep version of “On The Rebound”?

Yeah. I mean he sang it so much better than I sang it because he did it full voice. I was trying to do kind of a silly voice (sings) ‘On The Rebound, On The Rebound’, but they did it really well.

I know Peter Goalby who sang that had actually auditioned for your spot in Argent when you had gone.

Did he really!? Why didn’t they get him?

From what I understand, he was signed to a management company that advised him not to. And then John Verity got it, and obviously you know John.

I know John well. I was with John, he did “I Surrender” for me. He sang ‘I Surrender’, which I didn’t plan, I just wanted to produce it so I was in the studio and John sang it and I basically arranged him.

Did you know John before he took your spot (Argent)?

Yeah, I knew him in ’72, I think it was. John was singing, he supported Argent on a tour and I thought he was really great. When I left the band, I said you ought to get John Verity because John is perfect I think, perfect.

Now I know it’s kind of back peddling, but did you leave basically for the solo career or for other things?

No, I didn’t to be honest. I wanted to start a family to be honest. I knew, because I’d had a  couple of hit songs that were doing well, I thought I could do it. I was afraid, I couldn’t stand the thought of actually going on tour for three weeks, four weeks and leaving my kid. I could stay at home and write tunes and I could still go in the studio, I could write the tunes which I could go in the studio every day and write a song. I could go to my music room and write. The publishing company, Island, had my publishing and they gave me the resources to go into a studio and they used to rent me everything I needed. I said I haven’t got a good acoustic guitar, I need a Martin, hire a Martin, hire a Marshall 100, a Les Paul, a set of drums or I’d get a drummer and they’d pay for everything. I’d go up with three songs and at that time and every time I seemed to go in the studio I always had one song that was successful, so it was a good time. Someone up there likes me because I was able to survive with a wife and a kid and have a good living and do exactly what I wanted to do, which was pursue this gift of song in music.

Do you own all your songs? Publishing and that?

I’ve owned them up to last year and I’ve sold 50% of my publishing, which I’ve given away 50% of it. I still have a good life, even though you don’t get so much money from streaming, I still do pretty well.

You still regularly play in the UK and Europe and that I see, but you’ve not been over here I assume for a long time?

I’ve been there, I came over there in ’85 with Roger Daltrey, I played guitar and Roger said ‘sing a couple of your own songs, give me a break’. I’ve played the East Coast, New York, Boston, I finished up in Madison Square Garden with Roger. He was doing a couple of my songs and I did a couple of my songs and that’s good, but I haven’t played there myself under my own steam since 1976.

Has it just been a thing where there’s just not offers or at this stage it’s too expensive or no point to it?

Yeah, I mean I’d always go out there, but it was basically because I left Argent and that whole thing, and I didn’t have that big name that Rod had out there as a band. When I was in the band we were doing really well, but the fact is I just couldn’t leave the family, I didn’t want to leave the family while my kids were growing up.

At this stage there’s a lot of bands that have never come over here since the 80s, so I imagine Argent hasn’t been here since you were with them.

No, you get the Zombies, the Zombies still go there don’t they!?

Yeah, actually I saw their last album in the shop, their latest album in the local shop.

I’m seeing Rod, I’ve got to see him next week or the week after, he’s not too well at the moment.

As far as those Argent albums go, do you still have any input as far as reissues or repackaging and stuff?

No, I’ve nothing to do with it, but the only thing I’ve done, I’ve used an Argent song, a song that I wrote for Argent which is “God Gave Rock and Roll To You”, on now on Rewired. I could have done a few Argent songs, but I wanted to just include the songs that I’ve written.

As far as the Argent stuff goes, aside from the hits, do you have any favorites that you wrote that kind of weren’t hits?

Yeah, I liked “It’s Only Money, (Part one and two)”, and I’m still doing that one actually, I still do that song. ‘God Gave…”, “Losing Hold” was a good song, I didn’t write that, Chris White wrote that, that’s a good song. But you had some good things there actually, “Pleasure”, “Liar”, of course that was an Argent song.  We did some good. When we were together I didn’t know whether we were losing continuity as a band, you know, one moment we’re doing this, which is my writing, next moment we’re doing that. Maybe if we’d written it together we may have had more continuity, but I listen to things now, I do a great song, it’s a Chris White song, which was “Dance In The Smoke”. You’re too young to remember these, you probably might not.

Well, I’ve got the vinyl in front of me, but I picked up this last year. Have you seen that? (I show Russ the 2 CD Argent Hold Your Head Up, Best Of)

Yeah.

A pretty thorough collection.  I know “Hold Your Head Up” wasn’t yours, but that was one that got covered immensely, like a lot of people.

By Uriah Heep (lol)

Yeah, Heep did it. There’s quite a few versions of that out there.

Yeah, I know there’s a few out there. Yeah, good song, but that came from “Time Of The Season”. We used to do Time of the Season, when we played in Germany we used to do Time of the Season, years ago, just as the Zombies split, probably in 1971, something like that, we used to play the (sings a bit of the beat).. You know, used to do that. Rod used to just start playing a solo on the song. We started going (sings the melody)… We started to do that, and it became another song. And Chris White said ‘when we get back from Germany we ought to write a song around that’, and he wrote with Rod, he wrote “Hold Your Head Up”.

What else do you got planned for the new album? I guess you got some shows coming up, do you have any more singles coming out?

Yeah, we’ve got some shows, going to Europe, going to Germany in a month’s time, out there three weeks in Germany. Bavaria is really good for me, I love that area, it’s a nice time to go. But you know, everyone knows my songs there, even my albums, they know my songs and they sing the choruses and everything, it’s beautiful.

I’ve got a great band, we’re very close and I’ve got a guitar player, Roly Jones, who I wrote “Resurrection” with, we wrote together. Marc Rapson on keyboards – he’s good, he’s another Rod Argent;  PJ Phillips on bass and John Miller on drums.

Do you still do any producing outside of your own stuff?

Yeah, well I’m producing a band at the moment, I’ve got lots of young friends, 20, 30 years younger than me, so I’m involved with them They’re very, very good and they want to ask me if I could get involved with them. So, I’m doing that, I’ve got a band, Space Elevator, really, really good, I’ve got a girl singer, this is the girl that sang “Since You’ve Been Gone” with me. I was with the guitar player this morning, and I’ve done 14 songs with them, so we’re trying to put an album together. And I hope to get them a record deal, if possible.

Miami Vice was the other thing I wanted to ask about. You had 3 songs in that show!?

Yeah, “Voices” was in one, “In The Night’ was another one in there. People always remember that Miami Vice series.

I used to watch it a lot. There was always a musician as a guest actor or there was good new songs in there.

Jan Hammer did the music, wrote the (theme) music, didn’t he!?  They had the 40th anniversary in September, in Florida.

LINKS:

Russ Ballard

http://www.russballardmusic.com

https://www.facebook.com/RussBallardMusicOfficial

https://www.instagram.com/russballardmusicofficial/

RUSS BALLARD: Songs From The Warehouse/ The Hits Rewired

Leave a comment
RUSS BALLARD Announces New Double Album‘Songs From The Warehouse / The Hits Rewired’ Out April 25th Via Frontiers Music Srl.
Pre-Order HERE

Legendary singer/songwriter RUSS BALLARD has a new double album coming out. If you don’t recognize the name, chances are you know a few of his songs that were recorded by and made hits by others throughout the 70s and 80s (Rainbow, Three Dog Night, Ace Frehley, Kiss, Santana…) . Ballard was originally a member of ARGENT in the early 70s (“Liar”, “God Gave Rock and Roll To You”), and left to pursue a solo career, although to many he made name as a songwriter.

Ballard’s new album Songs From The Warehouse/ The Hits Rewired features 1 disc of new songs and 1 disc of his best known songs that were made famous by others.

The latest single is a new track “Resurrection”. Check it out below, as well as the previous 2 videos, and tracklisting.

Track List:

  • CD1 1. Resurrection 2. Courageous 3. Journey Man 4. The One Who Breathes Me 5. The Wild 6. Charlatan 7. Soul Music 8. Sleepwalking 9. Last Man Standing 10. Make Believe World 11. The Family Way 12. Fearless 13. The Last Amen
  • CD2 1. Since You’ve Been Gone 2. Winning 3. God Gave Rock And Roll To You 4. Voices 5. New York Groove 6. You Can Do Magic 7. Liar 8. I Know There’s Something Going On 9. I Surrender 10. No More The Fool 11. So You Win Again 12. Free Me 13. On The Rebound

https://russballardmusic.com/

ARGENT – first 5 albums on CD

Leave a comment

Music On CD have reissued the ARGENT box of the band’s first 5 essential albums. Well worth checking out, if you don’t have any Argent! Includes hits “Liar” (made famous by Three Dog Night), “Hold Your Head Up”, and “God Gave Rock n Roll To You” (covered by Kiss).

This great box set includes five original albums recorded between 1969 and 1974 by the great British Prog group Argent, created by Rod Argent after the demise of the Zombies, one of the most important and talented representatives of British scene. With masterpiece “Argent” with excellent guitar playing, “Ring Of Hands” with a more rock mood, “All Together Now”, “In Deep” and “Nexus”. The albums have been digitally remastered and packaged in album replicas (mini-sleeves), housed in a cardboard box.  This is an essential!

JOHN VERITY to release his own book

Leave a comment

Former ARGENT member John Verity has penned his own story, titled This Rock ‘N’ Roll Won’t Last You Know! Well after 50 years in the music business, Verity played guitar, sang and wrote on Argent’s Circus and Counterpoints albums, and went on to form Phoenix, Verity, as well as release a number of solo albums, and just recently released – an album with. Del Bromham (Stray), titled Live at Last (which can ordered at http://www.johnverity.com)

For more info on John’s book And to pre order – https://www.wymeruk.co.uk/webshop/books/rock/john-verity/this-rock-n-roll-won-t-last-you-know-by-john-verity/

ARGENT – In Deep at 50

Leave a comment

In Deep would be the 4th album from British band ARGENT. The band was named after keyboard player/songwriter Rod Argent, ex of The Zombies, and also included singer/guitarist Russ Ballard, who would write the band’s biggest hits, as well as make a bigger name for himself as a songwriter years later, as many acts would cover and/or have hits with his songs (Argent & Solo) – including Ace Frehley, America, Three Dog Night, Roger Daltrey, Rainbow, Santana, and Uriah Heep. The rhythm section consisted of bass player Jim Rodford (RIP), and drummer Bob Henrit – both would later join The Kinks, as well as work with John Verity, and various other acts. Anyway, In Deep was released in the spring of 1973, and was the follow up to the band’s highly successful All Together Now, which featured the band’s massive hit (and best known song) “Hold Your Head Up”. And although In Deep didn’t feature as nearly big of a hit or fared as well, it is the band’s best, IMO. Side one kicks off with the band’s next anthem “God Gave Rock N Roll To You”, which was a Top 20 hit in the UK, but didn’t break the Top 100 in the US, but it would be a favorite among fans. It would become a bigger hit in the US in 1991 when Kiss recorded it for the soundtrack to Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey (Kiss updated it on guitars-only, sped it up a bit, and altered it enough, enabling them to add Simmons, Stanley and Bob Ezrin to the songwriting). In a 2012 interview*, Ballard revealed-  “The first song that I wrote after my depression was ‘God Gave Rock N’ Roll To You’. The lyrics were all about that optimistic feeling that I had at the time. Of course, when KISS did another version of the song, they changed some of the lyrics because they didn’t fit with the overall image of a rock band in America. Every single song I wrote during my depression was sad but it was also natural. ‘God Gave Rock N’ Roll To You’ was my first happy song after the depression period.”

This was followed up by favorites “It’s Only Money, Part 1” and “It’s Only Money, Part 2”; the latter would be issued as a follow up single, both are classic Argent numbers penned (also) by Russ Ballard, and would feature on the band’s 1974 double live release – Encore: Live In Concert. Side one ends with the first of 4 songs from Rod Argent and co-writer / producer Chris White (ex Zombies) – “Losing Hold”, a soulful ballad that builds up a good bit, features one of Ballard’s finest vocals, and has a bit of a haunting feel to it, reminds me of Bloodrock’s “D.O.A.” Side 2 gets a bit more poppy with the lengthy “Be Glad”, which features Argent’s piano work and harmonies, with lots of changes. Also, included is the outstanding “Candles On The River”, which is heavier, yet has more of a late 60s vibe to it (maybe it’s the organ sound and harmonies?). Also included is the Beatle sounding “Christmas For The Free”, and Ballard’s closing bar-room rocker “Rosie”.

The cover art design for In Deep was created by Hipgnosis would feature photos of bandmembers (front & back) jumping into water. In a 2017 Interview Rod Argent recalled the taking of the album’s cover photo – “I can swim now, but at the time we did that cover, I couldn’t swim. I wasn’t afraid of the water, I just couldn’t swim and the people doing the cover wanted a photograph of under water and they went to a swimming park where there were portholes in the sides of the pool and a restaurant there, so people could look under water to see people swimming. They said to me: “Ok, jump in and go down to the bottom of the pool”. I said: “I can’t”. They said: “Why?” “I can’t, because I can’t swim”. They said: “Nooo, come on!  Are you joking?” I said: “No, I can’t”. I finally jumped in. I don’t know how, I managed to keep underwater for that long. I can do it now, but at the time that cover was taken I was actually underwater, I jumped in the deep and I couldn’t swim.”

A shame this album doesn’t get more attention, as it is now 50 years old, there seems to be a lack of any significant CD or special (anniversary?) reissues. But a classic ’70s British rock record well worth having.

ARGENT Rocker ARGENT release a Russ Ballard composition as their new single in two weeks time. God Gave Rock’n’Roll to You is the name of the single and is a track from their In Deep album which will be issued on March 2. Argent have delayed the opening of their next American tour to promote both records, and will now open in California on March 16. The tour breaks for the group, to take a two week rest in Britain before they go on to dates on the East coast, Hawaii, Japan and Australia. In late June the band play British and European dates and at the end of June, Argent work on a new album. Remaining British dates for the band before they leave for the U.S. are at Leeds Polytechnic (2), Glenn Ballroom, Llanelly (8), South Parade Pier, Portsmouth (10), Goldsmith College, London ( 16 ) Loughborough University (24 ) and Salford University (March 2). – Record Mirror (02-03-1973)

ARGENT, “GOD GAVE ROCK AND ROLL TO YOU”
(prod. by Rod Argent & Chris White) (Mainspring, ASCAP). “Hold Your
Head Up” established British contingent as a potent singles selling act, but this Russ Ballard song will make them giants. Edited down from almost -7 minute version from “In Deep” Ip, cut will penetrate charts almost immediately. Epic 10972. – Record World (03-24-1973)

ARGENT (Epic 10972)
God Gave Rock And Roll To You (3:20) (Mainspring, ASCAP- R. Ballard)
This is the follow-up they’ve been looking for to “Hold Your Head Up.”
English band hits you with the hook chorus right away and keeps your interest
throughout thanks to their instrumental prowess and lyrics. Flip: no info.
available – Cash Box (03-24-1973)

ARGENT, “IN DEEP.” This group hit the top of the charts with “Hold Your Head Up,” and their subsequent larger following should mean a huge smash for this album, their most consistently superior yet. “God Gave Rock And Roll To You” is the musical wizard to watch, while other blues and ballad cuts are all tops. Epic KE 32195. – Record World (03-31-73)

ARGENT -In Deep, EPIC NE 32195 (Columbia). Highly energized move music led by Rod Argent’s flowing organ work and Russ Ballard’s guitar support. produce an LP of modern intensities and rich sonorities. This is four beat rock, with samplings of delightful veal harmonies. The quartet maintains a tight discipline which has an organized effect. Best cuts: “It’s Only Money Part 1. “Candles On the River.” “Rnsie.”
Dealers: This British band is well.hnown for its solid, hard dewing music and
can he placed in the rock and Brilish rock group bins. – Billboard (03-31-1973)

ARGENT (Epic 11019) It’s Only Money (3:28) (Mainstay, BMI-Ballard)
Culled as a follow up to their brilliant “God Gave Rock ‘n Roll To You”,
Argent come up with another hypnotic hook guaranteed to capture the record
buying public. Single makes for great top 40 and FM programming. Flip: No
info.. available. – Cash Box (07-07-1973)

LINKS:

http://www.rodargent.com

https://www.facebook.com/RussBallardMusicOfficial

https://bravewords.com/news/russ-ballard-god-gave-rock-n-roll-to-you-was-my-first-happy-song-after-my-depression*

How I wrote ‘God Gave Rock And Roll To You’ by Argent’s Russ Ballard

https://hiresedition.com/review/progressive-rock/argent-in-deep-nexus-ring-of-hands.html

https://tollbooth.org/index.php/past-issues/past-music-reviews/1193-argent-in-deep

K. 04/23

JOHN VERITY releases acoustic set – Blue

Leave a comment

British singer/guitarist John Verity (ex Argent, Phoenix) has recently released a 4 track disc of acoustic tracks. The songs, previously released, are all stripped down and re-done along with guests Max Milligan (acoustic/slide guitar) and Roger Inniss (bass). These are excellent new ‘unplugged & unhinged’ versions, particularly “Broken Heart”, a favorite from 2020’s Passion album.

More info: https://johnverity.com/merchandise/389-john-verity-blue

John Verity – Celebrates 50 Years with Passion

Leave a comment

John Verity marked 50 years as a performer & recording artist with 2020’s album – Passion. The British guitarist/singer/songwriter was a part of Argent and then Phoenix in the ’70s,, and since 2001 has been releasing his own albums pretty regularly. Passion features Verity delivering 8 new blues rock, and blues ballads tunes. The first 2 tracks jump out right away – “Higher”, a great driving rock tune, followed by “Wise Up” with a cool guitar riff opener and a heavy drum sound (this one being in that Zeppelin / Bad Company class), love the organ throughout this one (courtesy of Jamie Pipe of The Mentulls), lyrically dealing with frustrations of worldly issues. “Sand In My Pocket” is a mid tempo blues number, a nice groove, fantastic playing and vocals. Next up is a bluesy ballad dealing with global environmental issues, delivered in this rather laid back and sad feeling tune “Broken Heart”. John pays tribute to Ginger Baker in the heavy blues cut “Red Devil”, while doing the same to Chuck Berry on “Bad Boy”. “Passion” ends with another heavy blues number titled “Big Stick”. Also included is the slowed paced, reflective guitar piece “The Open Road”; love the playing and the feel on this.

What I like a lot about this album is, aside from the fantastic playing, singing, and songs, is that Passion is kept to a solid production, without any excesses of added instrumentation, guests, and pieces that detract from the flow of it all, simply letting John (and company) deliver an appropriately titled album. Now to start working my way backwards through John’s more recent solo releases….

Line-up: JV – guitars & vocals / Bob Skeat & Roger Inniss – bass / Liam James Gray – drums / Jamie Pipe – keyboards.

Passion was issued on CD and Limited vinyl, and can be ordered at John’s site > http://www.johnverity.com

KJ, 01/’22

PHOENIX – Out Of The Sun

1 Comment

PHOENIX formed after ’70s classic band ARGENT disbanded, as it consisted of John Verity, Jim Rodford and Bob Henrit. Verity had joined Argent for their last 2 albums, replacing Russ Ballard; the band took on a change of direction, but Verity wanting to get back to a more straight ahead rock band came up with Phoenix. The band debuted in 1976 with their self-titled album. Not sure how well it did, but it is a classic ’70s hard-rock album, full of great guitar, Verity’s distinctive vocals, and a killer rhythm section., and stand outs like “From The Ashes”, “Woman Like You”, and “Easy”. Highly recommended ’70s rock listening, with Verity putting out a 30th anniversary CD edition some years ago.

Anyway, the band went in to record a 2nd album (which is the topic here), which was shelved as the record company at the time wanted the band to take on a more American radio friendly sound, hence 1979’s flop – In Full View. The band would release 1 more single before disbanding.

Now, nearly 43 years later that 2nd ‘lost’ album has been rediscovered and mastered for release by John Verity. Titled Out Of The Sun, with a cover that resembles that classic album cover for the Phoenix debut album, featuring 8 tracks individually penned by each band member, as well as a track from Chris White (Zombies).

Upon first listen through, it is safe to say if you liked that first Phoenix album – you will really like this! A great mix of rockers, ballads, a bit of funk, blues… Out Of The Sun opens with “Are You Ready”, an upbeat heavy rocker, very fitting musically and lyrically here. (Can’t help but be reminded of Grand Funk’s song of the same title). There are a couple of piano based ballads [featuring Rod Argent] – “Fallin'”, which is highlighted by Verity’s vocal, harmonies, and a smokin’ guitar break, as well as the cut “When My Boat Comes In”, again with a great high vocal,, a bit of synths, – this one would’ve made a fine single. “Loser” is a rocker, with a good bit of attitude; this song really makes me think these guys were really having a blast recording this stuff. “Spider Woman” is a cool sounding slower number, a bit funky, great groove, one of my favorites here, as is “Take My Music”, a bit more of an uptempo rocker, complete with some nice backing harmonies, a few changes, killer guitar sound; too bad this one fades out so soon. “Winds Of Change”, followed by “You Got Soul” close out this disc, both strong cuts, a bit of blues, soul, funk, and solid rock.

It is a shame this album was lost for so long, because it is a fantastic follow up and equally as impressive as the debut. Not a dodgy cut here. Just a very cool sounding guitar rock album of the 70s, from a tight sounding band that ended too soon.

RIP Jim Rodford, 2018

Order at > http://www.johnverity.com

Kj, 01/’22

JOHN VERITY – Interview From The Archives (2000)

Leave a comment

Many years back I had written to John Verity (ex Argent, Phoenix, Charlie). I really dug that first Phoenix album, and had picked up one of his solo albums, his albums with Argent, and Charlie. But I still had a lot to get, so many of my questions were a bit of ‘fishing’ as I wasn’t familiar with a number of projects. We also didn’t have youtube back then or Discogs to research on…. Anyway, I tried to get a good account of John’s career, and he replied with lots of information and stories. With the recent news of a new release – the ‘lost’ Phoenix album, I decided to re-post this (w/ a few edits), and links and tracks put in.


John Verity has been in the rock business since the late ’60s, but his name came to prominence in 1975 when he replaced Russ Ballard in ARGENT. After 2 albums with Argent, Verity formed the band PHOENIX – who released 2 albums, before releasing a few solo albums, recording an album with US aor band CHARLIE, and getting into production work. John Verity still records and gigs to this day, and is currently readying a new album as well as re-releasing some things from his own catalogue. For more on the man check out>http://www.johnverity.com

What can you tell me about your early days — bands? – people of notoriety you played with? earliest recordings? breaks? etc…

I Started in the 60’s with groups in my home town, Bradford, Yorkshire. Played R&B, Pop & Blues. Got my first real break when I was asked to play guitar for 60’s R&B/ Pop star ‘Dave Berry’ – great experience as we gigged solidly & toured heavily until the band was asked (without DB) to go to the Bahamas for a stint at the ‘Jokers Wild’ club in Freeport, Grand Bahama, in 1968. We stayed for almost a year – I did my first singing then ( I was never allowed to sing before, but we did so many sets, 7 nights a week that our main vocalist needed a break!). In ’69 a promoter from Miami spotted us playing at Jokers Wild and invited us to Florida to do some serious gigs. The band didn’t last long, but I stayed behind & formed the first JV Band with US musicians, gigged with Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Mountain, Canned Heat, PG&E, and others before moving back to UK. Got my first record deal with ABC / Dunhill on my return to UK in 1970/71.

What do you remember of this album? who produced it? any ‘name’ people involved? how did it do? read ‘was recorded late ’72 for Probe/ ABC Dunhill’.

Sorry.. No names on the album. Produced by Steve Rowlands who produced the Herd, Family Dogg, and other pop bands in the UK around that time.

Who was in the first Verity Band? any stories from Hendrix , Mountain, or Canned Heat? what kind of music were you doing back then?

The US JV Band was a three piece – Teddy on drums & Mark on bass. No surnames I’m embarrassed to say – its a long time ago! Nothing earthshaking to report on the other bands I’m afraid. Hendrix was kinda unhappy because people were shouting for the old stuff – he was into the Band of Gypsies thing — line-up was Billy Cox & Buddy Miles. The gig was in Miami – I believe it could have his last in the US.

How did you come to join Argent ?

My first album ‘John Verity Band’ was released on Probe/ABC Dunhill late ’74 and I went on the road touring as support to Argent. Russ Ballard decided to leave on that tour, and recommended me as his replacement.

You played on just ‘Circus’ and ‘Counterpoint’ albums? anything else? [live or unreleased?]

There are unreleased tracks, also we ‘reformed’ to do some sessions in ’77 – the line-up was Rod, Russell, Bob Henrit, Jim Rodford & Me. The tracks were never released & and the ‘reformation’ never happened. I ended up spending quite a lot of time in the studio with Russell working on his songwriting projects during that period – ’78 to ’81. Russell was also involved in the final ‘Phoenix’ recordings in 1980. The lineup was me Bob & Ray, plus Dave Wintour on bass and Russell on piano. We recorded two songs that Russell had written – ‘Juliet’ & ‘I Surrender’. The record company Charisma didn’t like ‘I Surrender’ – said it wasn’t a commercial song! & released ‘Juliet’ as a single instead with no success. B side was ‘I’m In Love’ from “In Full View”. Russell used our version of ‘I Surrender’ as a demo, and ‘Rainbow’ picked up on it. The rest is history…

Were you familiar with Argent prior to joining them? what band did you [and John G.] come from?

I wasn’t really familiar with the band prior to the support tour – but the sheer quality of their musicianship just blew me away.. I think I’ve covered my background prior the Argent. John G was much younger with little band experience – he was a truly natural, gifted musician though, but never liked the touring aspect – well, he hated it really!

Did you feel any pressure/criticism having to fill in Russ Ballard’s spot, baring in mind he wrote a lot of the earlier classics? [did you write songs in these days? ]

I did feel pressure – I just wanted to be good, and make my mark. I did write songs (I had written the John Verity Band album), but there was no chance of writing songs for Argent with someone with pedigree of Rod around!

What was the plan or direction / aim of the new line-up when you joined?

The band was getting into Fusion/ Jazz Rock which I didn’t really like, and anyway they were such a great rock band. I think we lost our way really… musically.

Was Rod the musical ‘director that lead the band away from more rock stuff?

Kind of. The rest of the band seemed happy enough at the time, to go along with this ‘new’ direction. I suspect Robert was a little unhappy at the change but probably I was the only one who felt really uncomfortable with it. I was quite shocked when the new songs were first presented to me, but I didn’t have the confidence to speak out at the time…

How do you feel the 2 Argent LPs you were on compared to previous Argent LP? Were there any successful singles? Why did the band split?

I didn’t feel that the later albums were as successful musically as the earlier albums, though they had their moments. There were singles, but no success. The band split because (a) we weren’t making any money! (b) Rod & John G were sick of touring. (c) Rod wanted to move in a different direction musically (I was agitating to move back to Rock & Roll) (d) I wanted to form a straight ahead power trio with Bob & Jim – ‘Phoenix’.

How much of the drums did Phil Collins play on Counterpoints?

About half. Some tracks are half Bob & half Phil!.

Were you happy with this radical shift away from the anthemic early 70s heavy rock in the Free vein towards spacey jazz-rock, and if so, were you instrumental in this switch?

No, hated it!

How did The John Verity Band [1974] come about, who were the members, where from (which bands)?

All the members of the JV Band were from local bands in my home town (Bradford). We met when I returned from US early ’70’s. The earliest sessions for the album in ’72 were done with session musicians, but I wasn’t happy & formed a ‘normal’ band line-up with Geoff Lyth (guitar & keyboards). We had various bass players & drummers, and the line-up finally settled at Jerry Smith (bass), & Ron Kelly (drums) in time for the album sessions which began at Advision studios in London late ’73. Album produced by Steve Rowlands.

Any singles released? much success, tours, breaks…? How did that one album do on the market?

Lots of gigs – toured with Argent, the line-up changed. New line-up included Biff Byford (Saxon) on bass, and guitarist Paul Quinn (Saxon). I produced the first Saxon album a couple of years later.

What happened afterwards – why did it break up? [anything recorded after the 1974 album that didn’t get released?]

We were rehearsing for a new album when the Argent gig was firmed up. Biff, Paul & the guys gigged as the John Verity Band without me! before forming ‘SonOfABitch’ which became Saxon.

You formed Phoenix with Jim Rodford and Rob Henrit [from Argent days]. How did this band begin? Was it intentional to make it a heavier sounding band than Argent?

Yup. [See above] – during the final Argent US tour, I had the feeling that we should be moving into a more straight ahead direction. I knew that there was a niche for us & Bob & Jim agreed. We signed to CBS though, and it took too long to get product out, by which time the UK music scene was being swamped by New Wave/ Punk. We were Dinosaurs in the UK by then.

You all contributed to the first Phoenix album, which was a classic LP IMO. What happened with the first album — much success, etc… ?

We did well in some areas. Lots of great response to gigs – we toured UK/ Europe & Scandinavia with Aerosmith, but I decided to get into Production.

Who else did you produce of note?

Saxon, Tank, Motorhead, Searchers, Marseille, BlackSlate, Brian Connelly (Sweet) – plus lots of bands’ ‘first albums’.

Can you explain the change prior to the 2nd Phoenix LP in which Jim left and was replaced by Ray Minhinnett – who played guitar, while you doubled on bass [guitars, vox…], and also added Ronnie Lee Cunningham on keys?? [where did Ray and Ronnie come from?]

Ray was/ is a buddy of mine. He was with Frankie Millers Full House. Fantastic guitar player, and we wrote songs together. Jim was offered the gig with the Kinks & went with our blessing, but we decided not to replace him – I played the bass parts & then added my guitars later. The other guys were brought in as session players by our American producer. Great musicians but I didn’t feel the album worked – no ‘Band’ vibe.

In Full View also featured a few outside penned tracks — “I Don’t Mind” [Walden] – where did this come from? as well it included Russ Ballard’s “Just Another Day” – why did you do this song?

I’m always open to good outside material and we felt ‘I Don’t Mind’ was a strong song (sent to us by the Publisher). I had engineered & played/ sung on Russell’s demo of ‘Just Another Day’ and asked him if we could do it for Phoenix.

What happened on the 2nd LP that would explain the change from the debut? Was there outside interference, recording company, etc.. ?? How well did this LP do?

The record company was responsible for the change of direction which I felt was a disaster. It didn’t do well.

Any examples or stories pertaining to this?

Not really – the business was in real upheaval at that time, and the UK scene was particularly screwed up, so Charisma decided we should go to America to record. I was thinking New York – they were thinking LA. We went to LA. WRONG!

I presume Phoenix split after the 2nd LP!? what were the highlights of this band for you? what happened in the end?

The highlight was the early period when we first came off the road with Argent. We were all match fit and playing well. Bob, Jim & I have great respect for each other as musicians & people. I loved that band, but it should never have been allowed to change direction musically, or be interfered with by outside producers & record company personnel!. Bob & Jim are good friends to this day and often form the current JV Band line-up for gigs & recording. I love them both like brothers.

What did you do in the years following Phoenix and the first “Verity” LP? any other bands, recordings, ..?

Mostly production & writing/ session playing. Russ Ballard, Ringo Starr, Colin Blunstone, Bowowow, Tank, Motorhead, Saxon etc.

You auditioned for Uriah Heep. were you disappointed this didn’t pan out ? What do you recall of the auditions? Have you had any other contact or association with an Heep guys?

Not too disappointed as it was only intended that I fill in until the band found someone permanent – which they did with Pete Goalby. All good players – Mick’s an excellent guitar player. Pete G’s a fantastic singer & good friend today.

What’s Pete up to these days? Ever worked with him?

Never worked with Pete – just jammed at a gig one time, but we’re buddies – been through a lot of the same music biz bullshit. He’s well, but having a break from it for a while.

Interrupted Journey was a very classy ’80s HR album, and still stands up pretty good today. You produced and engineered the album, as well as guitar & vocals, and had a long list of guest players,..Was it really a solo album? and who exactly was in the band? Who toured with you, etc.?

Yes, it was a solo album initially, which I began recording in ‘down time’ at Livingston Studios in between production projects. As recording progressed I began to ask my friends to sing & play on it. The touring band had Steve Rodford (son of Jim!) on drums, and my old mate Terry Uttley (Smokie) on bass, who became my partner in crime for some time until Smokie re-formed.

What can you tell me about how the guest-list became on this album > Rutherford, Argent, Ballard, Terry Uttley… ?

Mike Rutherford contacted me because he’d heard that I was doing a solo album. He wanted to produce or participate in some way. I went to Genesis’ studio where we recorded 3 songs with just me, Bob Henrit, & Mike playing. I added all the extra stuff at my own studio. Dave Wintour was doing lots of bass sessions around that time, including Russ Ballard & Leo Sayer.

Why did you re-do “Just Another Day” – the Ballard song that you had recorded with Phoenix? and what can you tell me about some of the other outside penned tracks, such as the Mike Rutherford song, “Love Is Blind”, “Stay With me Baby”, “Chippin Away At The Stone”… ?

I re-recorded ‘Just Another Day’ because I felt that we had screwed it up on the Phoenix album. The other songs were just great pieces that I wanted to do my own version of. Mike wrote some stuff especially for me which was nice. ‘Stay With Me’ is my favorite song (I’m re-doing it on my new album!)

What were your favorite tracks on that album? Any singles? much success, etc.. ?

I don’t have a favorite track. It’s my best work to date, with the exception of the first ‘Phoenix’ album.

What can you tell me about your association with CHARLIE? Did you only play on the 1 album? What happened with this gig?

I was brought in to ‘rough up’ Charlie’s sound in a production sense, and Terry was going to get involved in the production of a new Phoenix album. In the event, I ended up singing & playing on the Charlie album, and I brought in Bob Henrit on drums. The Phoenix album was abandoned. I thought the Charlie album was good, but I didn’t enjoy the ‘painting by numbers’ approach so I left to start ‘Interrupted Journey’.

What can you tell me about the 3rd Verity album Rock Solid? [who played on it? how well did this LP do?]

Rock Solid was done in my own studio. I did a lot of the work myself, with my usual guests dropping by. Unfortunately the label went broke soon after release, but I hope to get it re-released soon.

What have you done since the last Verity album? Recordings? Bands? [what can you tell me about such albums as Hold Your Head Up, etc…?]

Hold Your Head is a compilation of various JV Band stuff. The title track is an un-released track which I originally recorded for Interrupted Journey. I’ve continued to gig & record/ do production & try to help young musicians develop their careers. I’m currently working on a new album & preparing older material for re-release.

What are you involved in outside of music? hobbies, interests… ?

Music Music Music – boring old rock fart!

Can you give me a few of your favorite guitar players, influences, singers, songwriters, ? What do you listen to these days?

My influences are wide – Hendrix, Beck, Clapton, Aretha, BB King, Beatles, Dylan. I listen to whatever takes me.

Interview – Kevin J. 2000. / *top photo from Johnverity.com

Links:

http://www.johnveity.com

https://musicguy247.typepad.com/my-blog/2019/03/john-verity-interview-rod-argent-charlie-phoenix-terry-reid-allan-holdsworth-tunnel-richard-kent-style-saxon.html

http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=63114

https://www.youtube.com/user/OnTenJohn

PHOENIX: John Verity Releases Lost Album

1 Comment

Phoenix was a short-lived 70s trio consisting of ex Argent members John Verity, Jim Rodford, and Bob Henrit. The band’s debut was the excellent 1976 self-titled album that featured great guitar rock and vocals, featuring such stand-outs as “Easy”, “A Woman Like You” and “From The Ashes”‘. After a few years the band returned with 1979’s In Full View. This album saw Ray Minhinnett (ex Highway) added on guitar and American Ronnie Lee Cunningham (ex Law) on keyboards, while Rodford had left with Verity also playing bass. Rod Argent and Russ Ballard also made guest appearances. American producer was also brought in to work with the band in LA. But the album was softer, more mainstream, and lacked the feel of the first one. Frankly, I just never got in to this one. However, we now come to learn that a 2nd Phoenix album, with the original trio was recorded in ’77, and recently mastered and released by John. Below, John gives details and the story behind the ‘lost’ Phoenix album which can now be ordered through his website – http://www.johnverity.com

An amazing piece of news is that just a few months ago we rediscovered the ‘Lost’ Phoenix album. Back in 1977 Bob Henrit, Jim Rodford, & myself went into Trident Studios in London to record the follow up to our first album “Phoenix’. The new album was to be titled ‘Out of the Sun’.We really felt we had pushed the envelope both technically and creatively with this one, and I was proud of what I had achieved as a producer using the tools at my disposal. Sadly our record label CBS did not agree. Punk/New Wave had really taken a hold and almost overnight we were simply unfashionable…The album was put on ice, and somehow the masters were lost – until now.

By a twist of fate I got the opportunity to look again at these recordings with a view to releasing them over 40 years after they were recorded. A copy of the last set of mixes I had done resurfaced and I was able to get them restored, and then I remastered the tracks at home in my studio. We secured funding from fans and had the CD manufactured for release after all this time. I think the result is stunning. Transform yourself back to the ’70’s!!’

*Some years ago I interviewed John Verity (via email), and I be re-posting that here soon.

KJ, 01/22.