Russ Ballard - Since You've Been Gone (Supersonic, 1976) FAMILIAR ??? 

I have to disagree with you dude. Russ ballard is one of the greatest songwriters of all time in rock. He has written songs that have been performed by so many artists and being the main ingredient in Argent. I have to give him mad respect for his creativity in a non-elitist way.

Ritchie is no fool and knew that this song would keep Rainbow on playlists for decades to come. Russ is indeed a talent, just listen to his work with Argent.

This guy deserves way more recognition

I can't BELIEVE I've NEVER heard this version...and it's the original.

Russ Ballard penned a lot of songs that were covered and became hits.

It's nice to hear the best songwriter in England doing his own songs.

I loved Argent as a kid and his contributions to that outfit are epic. God gave rock n roll to you Hold Your Head Up Those two alone… damn

Can't understand the derogatory remarks about this version of the song. It's a compliment to Russ Ballard that Rainbow copied it

Can't agree with the description to this video. Russ deserves recognition for writing two incrediible Rainbow songs - This and 'I surrender'. Graham Bonet's vocals were the icing on the cake, what a singer - but credit has to go to the song writer.

I've always loved Russ' voice. Its both beautiful, melodic and strong. He is criminally underrated in every way.

Russ probably thinks "So what? I still get royalty payments from it, who cares WHICH version was the big hit!"

Dang, Ballard has written SO many great songs and they're so different from each other too. Talented blighter.

Russ Ballard wrote a handful of the greatest pop songs ever written. This is one of them. The Rainbow version is definitive, but this one is the blueprint they followed, adding only the modulation at the end and Blackmore's spanky Strat solo. This version deserves respect. Check out, too, the Head East cover, which is where I first heard the song back in the lost mists of the primordial.

I love Russ ballard's voice ! I remember him from Argent !

I was born early enough to remember Argent (and the Zombies) and have lived long enough to watch RU-vid come to life. Without the internet and RU-vid so much of the music of my youth would never be heard again. Songs like this would never make a radio rotation (although Jim Ladd might have played it once upon a time) And to watch a live performance? Never to be seen. This is so frickin' awesome! Does anyone know what synth is being played? (see 1:50) Maybe a Minimoog? Another great song is the original "In the Street" by Big Star. Thank you Chris Bell and Alex Chilton. Yup, I heard the Box Tops on AM radio.

This is the first time I've heard the original of the famous Rainbow song - it's incredible! Really cannot understand why this wasn't a hit. Sure, Blackmore's crunchy sound and Bonnet's amazing voice kicked it into the stratosphere but this original recording really isn't far behind. Given the sonics of 1976 versus 1980, this should have become a legendary song before Ritchie discovered it.

Ritchie Blackmores guitar and Graham Bonnets vocals added the punch that this song needed.

Russ Ballard wrote the songs and put the groundwork in, but others arguably made them better, he's a legend

one of those oddities that he is not a household name. still, an exceptional talent.

great talent, excellent , prolific songwriter who has always kept a low profile

Fantastic... I'm a huge Russ fan, this one was originally conceived as a piano song, Rainbow made it a catchy guitar tune, and also added the change of key to its finale. That's why they do sound very different.

"Hidious" ?! Why? I dont't think so. Great song! Great composer! Great performer!

This was great! I always thought Rainbow was the original version. I learned something new!

This was actually covered and released by Head East one year before Rainbow, so technically they were the 2nd band to cover it.

Russ Ballard is a genius songwriter and pretty amazing singer too! Why the hate.

Russ Ballard wrote some of the best songs in the history of rock and roll. He's just never really branched out as a solo artist.

While Russ wrote a handful of songs that were covered by Rainbow, I expected his version of this to be awful. It wasn't! More power to Russ!!

First time I’ve heard the original and it’s a good version in its own right. However Rainbow really developed its full potential. Love the all those flames inside a TV studio - pretty laid back about safety in the 70s!

That was amazing! All versions of this are great! Head East's version, Rainbow's version, Cherie And Marie Currie's version, and Brian May's studio and live versions as well too! ROCK N' ROOLLLL!!! How about that bass player's high notes?! Crazy! I wonder if he is the guy who did it on the studio recording, huh?

Someone's just put up footage of Russ Ballard guesting on this classic with Rainbow at the 02 last night (17th June '17). Nice to see. I like Clout's version also.

What a gem. Thanks for sharing it. I only knew the Rainbow version (which I like as well). This is so fresh.

Been listening to this song for 45 years and only found today this is the original. Russ did a great tune in the 80's called Voices which is highly underrated

It's Ballard's song, that much is true, but thank God for Graham Bonnet...That's all I'm gonna say on that.

I am very glad to discover Russ Ballard so many years later..

Argent was great band. I love Russ Ballard. Great talent.

Russ Ballard also wrote "I Surrender": which as you may know was another huge hit for Rainbow. Mr Ballard has written a lot of hit songs.

One of the greatest songwriters of all time - FACT

Very cool to hear the original version of this great classic song. One point no one has made yet in comments is that Roger Glover (bass player from Deep Purple) produced the Russ Ballard album that this song was on; Glover was playing bass for Rainbow when they recorded their version...maybe it was Roger's idea to re-record it?

This type of music was a setup for the kind of music that was coming in the 80's. Love it!! :)

Kudos to Ballard for writing one fantastical song here! I had no idea! And surprisingly, this original version already contains quite a bit of the ins-and-outs, and cool ingredients that are so recognizable in the Clout and Rainbow versions. Of course the intensity and full-out emotion of Graham Bonnet's vocals, along with Ritchie Blackmore's signature guitar and the driving force of "Rainbow," take this song to a whole 'nother level. Rainbow also appears to be the first to add the key modulation after the bridge, cranking it up a notch, and making it for me one of the all-time most magical rock songs ever. Truly a well-written song, with three unique and satisfying versions. Here's Clouts version: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-zX6h54VTAIs.html and Rainbow's version: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1P17ct4e5OE.html

Unsung hero of rock

Well I never!!! Would never have thought Rainbow's was a cover, and not far off this, though Rainbow cleaned it up.

Russ also wrote hits for Three Dog Night, Frida, Ace Frehley, America, Santana, and more.

Wow this guy has opened a whole New World when it comes to this song .I started out with rainbow and had no idea cause I’m a huge gram bonnet fan but wow !You got a love the RU-vid rabbit hole😎

This is the first time I’m hearing this. So much better than the hit version. Ballard is an exceptional songwriter. His I Don’t Believe in Miracles for Colin Blunstone is a gem.

This is incredible for 4 people considering its usually a full stage of people...people have definitely refined the sound over the years but I'm a fan of all versions...shout out to the keys...best ones I've heard for this song

Russ said he prefer more Rainbow's version of his own song. And he is right.

A classic 1960’s style 70’s song still alive in 2023!

Great Russ Ballard👍👏👍 🎸🎤🎼🎵

#1 version by the writer of the song!!!

This song is great, not sure what you have against Russ Ballard

Saw Russ in Argent about 1971 Brilliant

I was today years old when I learned this was a cover by Rainbow.. I'm 57

This is pretty good, I love Rainbow's version though

Hold your head up Russ!!!

Wow I thought this was an original by Rainbow..until today after 40 years this cat sang it first 😮.. I lived under a rock 😣

The original isn't bad, but it was the Head East version that I fell in love with first and then Rainbow improved upon that.

Absolutely brilliant! Yes, it does bring back memories of Rainbow's version of the song sung by Graham Bonnet. Also, please check out the version sung by Brian May (yes, of Queen, of course!) ... it's superb. God bless Ballard.

Fascinating to compare this with Rainbow's far more commercially successful cover from 1979. The song is excellent, but Rainbow's arrangement is so much stronger. Russ Ballard's songwriting deserves the bolder performance.

Thanks for posting, great to see Russ's original version.

I am friends now (but used to date) Russ Ballard's grandson. I had no idea about this until one day it was played in class😂

He also wrote the big hit Elkie Brooks had in the 80's 'No more the fool' Which was originally intended for Kim Wild

Wow. Had no idea bout this version. Well, he is a brilliant performer and one heckuva song writer if this is his tune. Beautiful. Rainbow obviously super-charged it with the power of hard rock, but it is amazing to here it in its original state.

Sleazy pop song? WTF? If it's so sleazy why did so many folks cover it? This is a great song. Russ Ballard rocks!

I love the Rainbow version and I also like the Santana version of his Winning song but this is not hideous, I think its great and he is a very good song writer,singer and musician.

Great Tenor vocalist.

Sleazy? Pardon? This song is damn amazing!!!!!!

Rainbow brought me here, much different sound, I kinda like it.

Russ Ballard is a very mysterious man. Estraordinarily good looking, effortless performer (singer/axeman), but it would seem a massive "under achiever". Well, not really - this song alone probably earned him enough to retire on. Then, go back to his days with Argent. Can you really say that you're not (at least subliminally) aware of; "God Gave Rock and Roll To you" (which he wrote)? "Hold Your Head Up" (not his song, but would Argent have had the hit if not for him?

The bassist just got off his shift at Kmart, and made the gig just in time! (I’ve done that myself) 💰👍

I'm usually pretty good with music trivia, but just learned & had NO idea Ballard wrote this. The first version I heard was Head East's back I high school, then hearing Rainbow's version I couldn't imagine Ritchie Blackmore doing a Head East tune. So with no internet to search it, I never looked it up, then basically dismissed it.

Great to hear the original song. Still a brilliant tune.

Russ Ballard is one of the best songwriters the UK has ever produced...i am just glad there were no smoke detectors in those days...

Che brano e che riff. Adoro questa canzone, mi piace un sacco anche la cover dei Rainbow. Russ Ballard immenso🔥

the bass players falsetto is incredible and makes this song

Graham Bonnet gave this song the balls it needed!

Hey everyone, I am a boomer who knew of Russ Balard before Rainbow. I like both bands equally, just as I like JLT & RJD equally as great vocalists. But Russ wrote some great f*****g songs. Also a great song for King Kobra called Dream on. Keep on rockin hard everybody.

Great Tune!! I always thought headeast wrote it. A lot of covers on this song.

It was a pleasure to see this man at the London Arena with Blackmore and his boys with some beers and surrounded by good friends (my brother Miguel, Edurne, Rafa Basa, Estrella, etc.) unforgettable.

I am starting to forget much about the rock classics. First of all this is the first time I come across the original Since You Been Gone. I thought Rainbow or Alcatrazz had the original. I have always loved Graham Bonnet's vocal. When I found back Rainbow, I thought to myself, wasn't there another band witha great hit related to Rainbow's? After some research I found out it was Alcatrazz but I got no hit on "Alcatraz" except well you know. I ended up in Wikipedia and that's where I found out Russ Ballard had the original. From wiki back to RU-vid. I like Russ Ballard's original lot.

Thanks Gillanfan, this was "Untitled" when you first posted.

This is Argent Bonnet released this song during every band he was in. Later was Rainbow (Blackmore) then Alcatrazz (Malmsteen) all were awesome I think

Love the writer and the song but this is the first time I’ve heard his original version. I believe I deliberately avoided it for fear I’d be disappointed because Rainbow’s is so great. But it’s good! The biggest surprise for me is that, master of pop that he is, he didn’t do something that Rainbow did that helped make their version so great. After the release - “If you will come back...” Rainbow modulates up to a higher key when they return to the chorus, which increases the excitement tenfold! If you’re not a musician you may not notice, but the reason they kill it at the end has a lot to do with the key change. To my amazement, the brilliant writer of the song didn’t do that in his original version! He stays in the same key, missing the opportunity that Rainbow grabbed and ran with. So it’s not just the better singing and musicianship that makes Rainbow the resl owner and champion of this song. Chances are the idea to modulate was either Blackmore’s or producer Glover’s.

This album alone should get Russ in the Rock and Roll hall of Fame.

Many a versions of this songs have been made, but this remains the best.

Those were the days when a bona fide rock star could appear on TV wearing an oversized cardigan that his gran had knitted for him for Christmas!

@domnal Russell Glyn Ballard (aye, Welsh origins) deserves much more than what he got, after all everyone only remembers he's "the one who sang Voices". Aye, he was hit by a catapult as a youngster on an English beach, his parents rushed him to Moorfield's in London, nothing to do, he lost it... so he HAD TO WEAR sunglasses ALL THE TIME. His good looks made it look cool, so that's how the whole thing started up... awkward, aye? I still think his eyes are blue, tried to ask him, he didn't reply.

Just remember to "Hold Your Head Up" because "God Gave Rock and Roll to You"......

Huge Rainbow fan...didn't realize the song was a cover. I definitely prefer Rainbow's version. Thank goodness for Graham n Ritchie n crew!

Watching those flames so close to that classic Ludwig Vista Lite (pLexi-glass) drum kit made me very, very nervous.

So many have learned from this song , me including!

Great song, by the writer Ballard or Rainbow, each has it's own quality.

Familiar indeed. Great song! Funny the 2nd voice, so loud&clear! I'm a Rock lover!

Fantastic O. Version from Russ Ballard

Glad i heard the Ballard original, + can appreciate the way, this classic was meant to be, usually cover versions, loose emphasis, on key parts, + the feel, tending to accent, the irrelevant, this is a prime example

That drum fill is certainly one to remember

Never heard Russ's version before bit it stands up well against the more famous Rainbow version. I like it 👌

Sounds Great

i first heard the Head East version. This is cool

Russ absolutely RULES!!!