On 22 September 2026, veteran songwriter and guitarist Russ Ballard performed a career-spanning set at London’s historic 100 Club. Dressed in a black Old Grey Whistle Test t-shirt, the 80-year-old musician took to the stage accompanied by his four-piece band.
The performance opened with "New York Groove," the 1975 track Ballard wrote for Hello that later became a global solo hit for Ace Frehley. Moving directly into his catalogue with 1970s progressive rock group Argent, Ballard followed with a hard-hitting rendition of "It's Only Money." The opening sequence established the format for the evening: precise instrumental arrangements paired with direct, rhythm-driven guitar work.
Ballard’s guitar technique remains remarkably sharp. Moving into his solo material, he delivered "In the Night" from his 1984 self-titled album before introducing "Dream On" as a personal narrative reflection on his career in the music industry. The tempo shifted upward with the driving chords of "Hold Your Head Up," another Argent classic executed flawlessly by his band—keyboardist Mark Rapson, bassist PJ Phillips, guitarist Paul Bond, and drummer John Miller.
He followed with "Rene Didn't Do It" from his 1980 solo record Barnet Dogs, delivering a burst of straightforward, high-octane rock 'n' roll. Responding to a heckle from the floor, Ballard quipped, "I’m gonna keep going till I drop dead on stage," drawing a thunderous cheer from the crowd. Vocally, Ballard maintained tone and power across a demanding sequence of rock and pop tracks, including "Liar," which became a major US hit for Three Dog Night in 1971.
Between numbers, Ballard demonstrated sharp comedic timing during band introductions, delivering anecdotes from his multi-decade career. He revisited his track record as a hitmaker with "So You Win Again," the soul ballad he penned for Hot Chocolate that earned the group their sole UK Number 1 single in 1977.
The second half of the set leaned into his mid-1980s catalogue, featuring "Play with Fire," "The Fire Still Burns," and a strong rendition of "Voices"—his 1984 synth-rock track popularized by its inclusion on the Miami Vice soundtrack.
The closing stretch focused on two of his most recognized rock works. "Since You Been Gone," famously recorded by Rainbow in 1979, prompted a full-venue sing-along, followed by the anthem "God Gave Rock and Roll to You," originally recorded by Argent and later a worldwide hit for KISS.
The main set concluded with the hard-rocking "It's Too Late" from Barnet Dogs. The band exited to sustained applause from an international audience, with fans traveling from the United States, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. Following the show, Ballard manned the merchandise table to meet attendees individually, capping an exceptional performance from a craftsman who continues to deliver on all fronts.
Check out our exclusive interview with the wonderful Russ Ballard below.
