Russ Ballard's Musical Adventures: Anecdotes with Ozzy Osbourne and Ritchie Blackmore
Russ Ballard, the renowned songwriter, shared an amusing anecdote about his failed attempt to collaborate with Ozzy Osbourne. In the late 1980s, Ozzy approached Ballard for help in creating a single for his album. During their meeting, Ozzy, known for his quirky sense of humor, diverted the conversation to military hardware, suggesting night-sight goggles that he owned. Despite the lack of songwriting progress, Ballard found Ozzy to be incredibly funny and enjoyable to be around.
In another surprising turn of events, Ritchie Blackmore, the guitarist of Rainbow, reached out to Ballard nearly four decades after their hit song "Since You Been Gone." Ballard was invited to perform with Rainbow at the O2 Arena in 2017, where they played their classic track together. Blackmore expressed his preference for playing in unconventional venues like churches and castles with his wife, Candice Night, rather than large gigs for financial gain. Although Blackmore requested another song from Ballard, leaning towards "minstrel music," the collaboration never materialized.
The full interview with Russ Ballard can be found in the latest issue of Classic Rock magazine, available for purchase online. Explore more fascinating stories and insights from music legends by ordering your copy today.