The Voices Of Russ Ballard Podcast

Ian and Sven present the final episode of their conversation with Mike Moran. We discuss the diversity of Mike’s brilliant career, his friendship with George Harrison (including singing backing vocals with three of The Beatles on a recording session), the day the Pythons asked for money, Ozzy Osbourne and so much more. 

“George and I got on well and stayed friends until he died.”

Mike on George Harrison

“Here I am, in between George Harrison and Paul McCartney singing backing vocals with George Martin looking at us through the glass. If anybody had told me…….”

Mike talking about how he did a lot of work with George Harrison

Welcome to the landmark edition of The Voices of Russ Ballard Podcast…..this is the 25th edition since we launched in the summer of 2020.

Part Two of Ian and Sven’s conversation with Mike Moran concentrates on his collaboration with the one and only Freddie Mercury and there are some legendary stories to hear.

Discover how Mike takes Freddie to his local Garden Centre, Freddie tells Mike to keep playing that “Flashy Sh*t” on the keyboards, Mike becomes the only non Queen member to co write a song on a Queen Album and of course, Mike and Freddie create a new musical genre…..all this and more, it’s a must listen!

“They could have given Rami a smaller set of false teeth”

Mike Moran on Rami Malek’s portrayal of Freddie Mercury in the Bohemian Rhapsody movie 

Ian and Sven present the last of our three Podcasts with very special guest Leo Sayer and we are joined by Russ Ballard himself for a long awaited catch up with Leo.

The boys talk about Russ’s musical contributions on “Silverbird” and his production of “Another Year” for Leo as well as both providing fascinating anecdotes from their multi million selling recording careers.

To date the duo have unfortunately never written any songs together but following this Podcast, that might be about to change…..

"I wanted to write songs with Leo in 1976"

Russ Ballard on Leo Sayer

“Great talking to Russ again, he’s a wonderful man”

Leo Sayer on Russ Ballard

Ian and Sven follow up their highly acclaimed Podcast featuring Leo Sayer with part 2 of the chat which focuses on some amazing stories, told the only way Leo can.

These include how he became (after falling 25 feet off the stage), the last person to speak to Elvis before the King passed. Expect also to hear about sitting in British Airways First Class where he and Mohammed Ali became close friends and how Leo taught him and other famous boxers, how to to sing…..

We also discuss his latest releases “Selfie” and “Northern Songs” as well some fun “desert island” questions.

Elvis Presley (to Leo Sayer)

“This is Elvis Aaron Presley and you Make Me Feel Like Dancing “

Muhammad Ali (to Leo Sayer)

“I love you Leo”

We have an outstanding start to 2023 thanks to an extra special guest on the Voices of Russ Ballard Podcast with Ian and Sven, the one and only Leo Sayer who just celebrated 50 years in the music business.

This is part 1 of two Podcasts with Leo himself before we feature a fascinating conversation with Leo and Russ in the final episode.

We start here with the early years and many of Leo’s hits are featured, as well as recollections of his first taste of fame thanks to Roger Daltrey recording his songs. Hear Leo describe his career in detail playing with amazing musicians in LA (Steve Lukather, Larry Carlton, Jeff Porcaro, David Hungate, Leland Sklar, David Paich and Tom Scott to name but a few) when he was at his peak as a household name and “TV personality”. And with Leo there are always some great stories to tell.

The Podcast finishes with a Voices of Russ Ballard exclusive……is it true that Toto asked Leo to be their lead singer even before their first album was released?

Join us and find out!

Roger Daltrey (talking about Leo Sayer) “You wait until you hear this guy, he’s a better singer than me….”

Leo Sayer (on Russ Ballard) “He not only plays guitar but also mind-blowing piano. He’s very wise and very cool”

Ian and Sven complete their conversation with Steve Rodford with a Podcast dedicated to the life of his father, Jim Rodford. This coincides with the publication of a book about his life called “Jim Rodford Sideman, The Jim Rodford Story”.

Enjoy some brilliant anecdotes along the way as well as an exciting exclusive…..Steve reveals a lost track he recently found by the GB Blues Company featuring the Argent rhythm section (Jim and Bob Henrit) and the Mike Cotton Sound Horn Section. It’s called “ No Place” and you can hear it here for the first time anywhere in the world.

“I’d like to think that Dad was a big part of bringing rock and roll back to the Kinks” - Steve Rodford speaking about Jim Rodford.

“It”s What I do” - Jim Rodford on himself playing live gigs.

Following on from Chris White, Ian & Sven continue the Zombies theme and are in conversation with Steve Rodford, a fine drummer and musician in his own right but also the son of the legendry Bass Player Jim Rodford (Argent, Kinks, Zombies). Enjoy lots of great music from Argent, The Zombies, Frida from Abba, John Verity and much more.

“Growing up with my Dad in Argent I can’t tell you just looking back, how amazing that was and what an influence that was”.

Steve Rodford

“I was so proud of him”

Steve Rodford (talking about having a rock star father and parents evening!)

“You’re wasting your money Mum, I want to be a drummer”

Steve Rodford to his mother Jean when she arranged piano lessons

Ian and Sven return with part two of their fascinating conversation with original Zombie bass player and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Chris White.

Did you know Chris was responsible for the original Dire Straits demos?

Did you know The Zombies were responsible for introducing Tom Petty to rock and roll?

Which version of “celebration” do you prefer, Argent or Sparrow? (Talking of which, the newly released Sparrow album is also featured).

The new podcast answers all these questions and more!

Stop Press….Listen carefully for an excerpt from a brand new Russ Ballard track.

“I just wanted to say how much you affected Queen”

Brian May speaking to Chris White backstage at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony

After a short summer break, Ian and Sven are proud to present their latest guest on the Podcast Original Zombies Bass player and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Chris White.

In part one (of two), Chris tells us how the Zombies met and we go on the incredible journey towards their masterpiece, “Odessey & Oracle”.

Learn how the Zombies producer is carried out of the recording studio, Chris starts production and writing for Argent and Colin Blunstone in the early 70s and much, much more….

Songs featured “She’s Not There”, Beechwood Park, Hung Up On a Dream, “Time of the Season” “A Girl Like That”, Russ Ballard hit medley.

“Rod Argent called me many years later and told me how great my playing was on the original Zombies recordings”

Chris White

He’s one of the greatest English songwriters of all time”

Chris White talking about Russ Ballard

In Podcast Number Eleven, Ian and Sven conclude their conversation with the legendary Bob Henrit so stand by to hear even more humorous stories together with related music from Bob’s career including The Kinks, Genesis, Ringo Starr, The Who, Mike and The Mechanics and….The Bay City Rollers!

Learn the story of the two Ivor’s (Novello and Arbiter), what the Queen of England said to Bob (and apparently always says) when she met him, what Keith Moon offered him in the back of his Rolls Royce and much, much more…..

“Russell’s always been a year younger than me!”

Bob talking about Russ Ballard

‘Sound good Man!”

BB King (whilst cradling Lucille, his Gibson guitar) on hearing Argent play live

Ian and Sven kick off Podcast Number Ten (and the first launched via a multi platform format) with probably Russ’s oldest friend in music, Bob Henrit (Roulettes, Kinks, Argent, Ringo Starr, Don Mclean, amongst others).

Hear about Bob’s VERY famous neighbour as a schoolboy (even though they don’t talk anymore…), saving Russ’s life (Adam Faith did that too apparently), falling asleep while having dinner with Noel Coward, trying to play the drums with Chinese shoes on and many more humorous and informative stories.

“We got paid five pounds, fifteen shillings and sixpence and it sold two million copies”

Bob on playing drums on “Concrete and Clay” when with Unit 4 Plus 2

“New Zealand was a long way away and now it’s even further!” Bob on touring and getting on aeroplanes

Ian and Sven conclude their exclusive interview with Russ with a bumper two hour special featuring lots of  great RB music, some questions probably never posed to him before and lots more.

Find out how Russ nearly died on stage in Germany, writing “Hope” the theme song for the South African World Cup, being invited to link up with Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey and Nelson Mandala in the process, as well as flying First Class to LA to write with Alice Cooper and chat with Gene Simmons and Michael Bolton by the swimming pool....

“I’ve been a pianist since I was 8 years old, when I write songs I write them on the piano, I want to play more  piano when I go on tour"

Russ Ballard

I was the only one writing melodies and using overdriven guitars, most bands weren’t getting played on the radio and it took years before they did it”

Russ Ballard on the period in his career where he was writing countless hits for other artists and had unparalleled success.

“Maybe Frida from ABBA can do the Voices Podcast”

Russ Ballard

Originally released on 1st of April 2021

Ian and Sven recommence the Podcasts following the sad passing of our previous guest and friend,  Peter Thorp and the show starts with a deserved tribute to the man himself.

This is the second of three shows featuring our conversation with Russ in late 2020. Hear him talk about the "Voices" Russ Ballard album and "The Fire Still Burns" as well as great stories of touring and recording with Roger Daltrey of The Who.

Look out for passionate and emotional renditions  from "The Book of Love" album before we finish with a Voices of Russ Ballard  exclusive, a new song never heard anywhere in the world before. (Our gratefully thanks fo Russ for allowing us to use the track).

Songs featured, "The Fire Still Burns", New York Groove", "Crazy World" and "The One Who Breathes Me".

"Everything on the album was a signpost on the way to looking for love"

Russ talking about his album "The Book of Love".

Originally released on 14th of February 2021

A real positive end to 2020 with a Christmas Eve Podcast featuring Ian and Sven in lengthy conversation with none other than Russ Ballard himself at his home in Hertfordshire. This is part one of three Podcasts, the others to follow in early 2021 and will include a World Exclusive.... hear for the time anywhere..... a brand new Russ song.

In this Podcast we play some of Russ’s most famous hits including “Hold Your Head Up”, God Gave Rock And Roll To You”, “Since You Been Gone” and “You Can Do Magic”.

We start with the early days and his audition at age 16 for Adam Faith’s Roulettes (where he never even got to demonstrate his guitar skills!) before progressing to anecdotes about amongst others, Elton John, Santana, Rainbow, Three Dog Night and America.

Russ closes the Podcast with a special Christmas message to all his fans all over the world.

Al Gallico (Legendary New York Music Publisher, talking about Russ’s ability in the recording studio) “Russ don’t make demos, he makes masters!)

Russ Ballard on Elton John “He told us that “In Deep” was his favourite album”

Originally released on 24th of December 2020

A chance for everyone to banish those “Lockdown” blues and join us in conversation with Peter Thorp, arguably the founder member of The Roulettes. Peter’s fascinating story starts right from the early days when he was asked to join Adam Faith (who incidentally lived just round the corner) and play live at the Royal Albert Hall in 1961.

Recognised by his peers as a consummate musician and songwriter, whilst telling his story on the show Peter even takes a call from Russ live on air.....

"If anyone deserves success it's him"

Peter on RB

Originally released on 1st of December 2020

We conclude our exclusive interview featuring the wonderful John Verity (JV) with a bumper edition which includes some great music, including tracks from JV’s latest album “Passion”.

Learn how he nearly joined Michael Schenker, Ted Nugent, Asia and an Aerosmith “side project” band. Also, some fascinating revelations around Russ’s hit “I Surrender” by Rainbow (JV played on the demo) and how he probably recorded the first “tribute” album…. full of Led Zeppelin classics.

“He was a great inspiration to me”

“My songwriting definitely went up a notch after spending time in the studio with him”

JV on Russ Ballard.

Originally released on 15th of November 2020

We continue our “Voices” Podcast Show and celebrate Russ’s birthday with a special Halloween edition.

Our Spooktacular hour long version features the multi talented John Verity, the man who replaced Russ in Argent (Russ recommended him personally for the spot!).

In this first part of an exclusive chat with JV, the music business revelations continue with him waxing lyrical about Jimi Hendrix, Phil Collins, Bob Henrit, Rod Argent and many more.

Learn how JV and other musicians are attempting to cope with these difficult Covid times and hear four excellent tracks from the early part of his wide and successful career.

Fangs for listening!!!

“You have to be in the right place at the right time and I was just lucky to be in the right place at the right time” JV on himself.

“When Genesis were a three piece Phil Collins told me they weren’t sure their new album was going to be any good” JV on Phil Collins and Genesis

“You have to look in the mirror and see yourself “ JV on Punk

Originally released on 31st of October 2020

For the third podcast, we feature the second part of our interview with John “Mod” Rogan. Mod continues to entertain us in only the way he can! Tap Dancing, Cabaret, Sandie Shaw, Dusty Springfield (a kiss for bottle of Vodka), it’s all here. Mod also gives an emotional tribute to the late Jim Rodford.

In addition we play in full, our first piece of Russ related music as we showcase our next Podcast….

“Mod, you sound more like Adam Faith than I do” Adam Faith.

Originally released on 15th of October 2020

Our second Podcast is part one of an interview we did recently with John George Rogan, otherwise known as "Mod" (and he will tell you how he got that nickname too...).

A really honest, humorous and fascinating insight into the world of Showbiz. Mod talks about growing up with Wayne Sleep, how he joined Adam Faith & the Roulettes against all the odds and even how he invited Adam Faith home for tea....

And who did actually write "Since you Been Gone" and "God Gave Rock and Roll To You"? Find out here.

Originally released on 1st of October 2020

The Voices of Russ Ballard Podcast is a series of podcasts with several, well known musicians, which are all linked to Russ Ballard.

Episode 1 is the introduction to the concept and your hosts.

Originally released on 15th September 2020