Russ Shirley is an American guitarist
as well as bass guitarist, keyboardist, vocalist, arranger, music director, producer, engineer and drum programmer. He has been a member of the Turtles, and has performed and/or recorded with many recording artists such as Ellen Foley, Karla DeVito, The Rhythm Team and many more. He is also a Cisco trained network engineer, Apple trained Macintosh specialist and presently holds a United States Coast Guard, 25 ton Merchant Marine Officer's Masters license.
Russ started his musical career playing electric guitar as a young member of the Tampa based band Sour Grain. 
Sour Grain toured the Southeast for years before changing their name to Push Push. From covering songs and learning guitar styles by many (and mostly english bands) such as Humble Pie (with then unknown guitarist Peter Frampton), Jethro Tull, Roxy Music, Jeff Beck, Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, Pink Floyd to Average White Band, Russ was developing his self-taught musical skills.
Sour Grain toured the Southeast for years before changing their name to Push Push. From covering songs and learning guitar styles by many (and mostly english bands) such as Humble Pie (with then unknown guitarist Peter Frampton), Jethro Tull, Roxy Music, Jeff Beck, Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, Pink Floyd to Average White Band, Russ was developing his self-taught musical skills.After a few more years, Russ joined an Atlanta-based group called Baby Grand. Still rocking and with many miles under his belt he jumped ship to join an Illinois group called Roller. (He knew he made a good decision as this was confirmed when an FBI agent called him in Illinois looking for the other members of Baby Grand, as they were accused of interstate transport of stolen property for both the truck and the P.A. system)
After touring the states between Chicago and Florida, Russ again found himself back in Illinois following a breakup of Roller. This time getting financing and starting a new band with a member from Roller (bassist and vocalist Kevin Lee) and a powerful new singer from Atlanta, the late Rhett Forrester (prior to Riot). On drums was Jim Schroeder. The new group named Hitman from it's start proved they could rock with the best as they blew the battle of the bands winner off the stage on their first gig. As a four piece they rocked the state for approximately one year.Before starting Hitman, Russ had visited musician friends in New York and fell in love with the New York city music scene. Of course during this time in the mid-70's the great rock'n'roll clubs were still going strong as well as the record companies and major recording studios. From Max's Kansas City to CBGB's and from The Ritz, Trax, Tramps. It was a great time in New York to be a musician. Not only was the city still affordable (by artist standards), but you could meet almost anyone at any time due to everyone's close proximity.
Russ made the move to Manhattan and immediately felt at home with the high-energy musical environment. Now the many styles of playing came into use as he worked with new songwriters and groups. Living in Greenwich Village just up from John Lennon's old place was really special. Russ adds, "Not only that, but just walking down the street or riding my ten-speed bike to a gig would take me often by Electric Ladyland studio." (the state-of-the-art multitrack studio established by Jimi Hendrix in 1970.)
As Russ remembers a particular night a Max's Kansas City in St. Mark's Place - "I had read about Max's for years and here it was, my first visit. I'm sitting there at a booth-style table and talking to a young guitarist who had recently arrived from Cleveland. He had just gotten a gig with Rick Derringer and was one happy guy! Little did we know (while sipping our drinks), that this young guitarist had a very bright future ahead of him (even if he did end up playing keyboards for Rick). His name was Neil Geraldo, Pat Benatar's future husband, guitarist and producer. I was glad to have met him.
Max's Kansas City was the exact spot where Pop Art and Pop Life came together in the sixties--teenyboppers and sculptors, rock stars and poets from St. Mark's Place, Hollywood actors, checking out what the underground actors were all about, boutique owners and models, modern dancers and go-go dancers--everybody went to Max's and everything got homogenized there.
Andy Warhol
Russ started collaborating and writing with singer songwriters
such as Alvin Terry and Marianne
deTriquet. Aside from co-writing and recording, Russ worked on many other projects. Studio work with the band Secrets. Together with good friend and guitarist Lars Hanson,
Russ performed around the city with singer songwriters Chris DeMarco and also Thom Kidrin and the Rhythm.
deTriquet. Aside from co-writing and recording, Russ worked on many other projects. Studio work with the band Secrets. Together with good friend and guitarist Lars Hanson, Russ performed around the city with singer songwriters Chris DeMarco and also Thom Kidrin and the Rhythm.In 1980 Russ joined Ellen Foley on a world tour promoting her debut album on Epic records,
Nightout. The line-up on that tour was Ellen Foley (vocals), Russ Shirley (guitar, vocals), Joe Stefko (drums), Martin Briley (bass, vocals), George Meyer (keyboards, vocals) Jeff Southworth (guitar, vocals). It was on this tour that Ellen met up with Mick Jones of the Clash and the rest is history. Believe it, that girl could sing!
Nightout. The line-up on that tour was Ellen Foley (vocals), Russ Shirley (guitar, vocals), Joe Stefko (drums), Martin Briley (bass, vocals), George Meyer (keyboards, vocals) Jeff Southworth (guitar, vocals). It was on this tour that Ellen met up with Mick Jones of the Clash and the rest is history. Believe it, that girl could sing!Returning from Europe, Russ worked with producer John Jansen on a few singer songwriters and their demos. Recording took place at the House of Music in New Jersey. One artist was female vocalist Martee Lebous. Some of the line-up in the studio were Anton Fig (drums) and Steve Buslowe (bass guitar). Another project was songs for vocalist Rory Dodd, another great vocalist.
Russ had also been playing around the city at various clubs like CBGB's, Gildersleaves, and The Ritz as a member of the group The Method. 
John Jansen was also involved with recording The Method's female singer songwriter Marianne deTriquet. Russ was band-leader, arranger and also co-writer on many of the songs recorded during this time. Some of the line-up in the studio were Mike Visceglia (bass guitar), Steve Buslowe (bass guitar), Bob Medici (drums), Russ Shirley (guitars, vocals), Marianne deTriquet (lead vocals) and John Jansen (producer).
John Jansen was also involved with recording The Method's female singer songwriter Marianne deTriquet. Russ was band-leader, arranger and also co-writer on many of the songs recorded during this time. Some of the line-up in the studio were Mike Visceglia (bass guitar), Steve Buslowe (bass guitar), Bob Medici (drums), Russ Shirley (guitars, vocals), Marianne deTriquet (lead vocals) and John Jansen (producer).During many of these years Russ had been working simultaneously with Alvin Terry and was a founding member of the Alvin Terry Band. This band too was playing gigs around the city such as Gildersleaves. Interesting fact is that for a while the 2nd guitarist, who also played some bass tracks in the studio for The Alvin Terry Band, was the presently-famous record producer, engineer and mixer Brendan O'Brien. Hell of a good guitarist he was and I'm certain still is!
Russ returned to the road again with Karla DeVito for an American tour supporting her debut album on Epic records, Is This A Cool World Or What.
The line-up on that tour was Karla DeVito (lead vocals), Jim Lang (keyboards, vocals), Bob Medici (drums, vocals), Russ Shirley (guitar, vocals), Jeff Southworth (guitar, vocals) and Jim Riley (bass guitar, vocals). The tour took them through the states and into Canada opening for Hall And Oates and Rick Springfield.
The line-up on that tour was Karla DeVito (lead vocals), Jim Lang (keyboards, vocals), Bob Medici (drums, vocals), Russ Shirley (guitar, vocals), Jeff Southworth (guitar, vocals) and Jim Riley (bass guitar, vocals). The tour took them through the states and into Canada opening for Hall And Oates and Rick Springfield.After a successful tour, work started on Karla DeVito's followup 2nd album. Recording was started at the Record Plant in Los Angeles and was suspended or ended, 3 weeks later. The reason was never given but the outcome was certain.
Upon returning to New York, Russ took over guitarist Brendan O'Brien's duties for a new start-up group called The Rhythm Team, founded by Missal Records and Shelter Studios Steve Missal (drums, vocals, songwriter) and Steve Priest (bassist, vocalist, songwriter.) 
This 3 drummer, power-pop group wrote and recorded demo songs with Steve eventually releasing one album. For those interested, Steve Missal was the drummer on Billy Idol's White Wedding recording and Steve Priest was one of the original members of the internationally successful 1970's English band Sweet.
This 3 drummer, power-pop group wrote and recorded demo songs with Steve eventually releasing one album. For those interested, Steve Missal was the drummer on Billy Idol's White Wedding recording and Steve Priest was one of the original members of the internationally successful 1970's English band Sweet.Russ continued working (rehearsing and recording) with The Rhythm Team and Alvin Terry. It was at this time that he was asked by band leader and drummer Joey Stefko to join they newly formed Turtles band with Flo and Eddie. Band member line-up was Mark Volman (lead vocal), Howard Kaylan (lead vocal, sax), Joe Stefko (drums), Mike Visceglia (bass guitar, vocal), Pete Zale (keyboards), Russ Shirley (guitar, vocal).
After their first small and successful tour of mostly east coast dates from Chicago to Florida, The Turtles headlined on one of the first and largest summer group tours. Other bands sharing this tour were The Association, Gary Puckett, Spanky And Our Gang and Three Dog Night.
Once the 1984 Happy Together Tour was finished and all dates for the Turtles completed at the end of the year, Russ moved from New York and relocated to Los Angeles with his new wife. As Russ says, "I seemed to have hit the 7 year wall made of concrete and I wanted a Florida climate with a music industry". With the help of friends and family Russ and his wife made the move to California.
Once located in Los Angeles Russ did some demo recordings for the actor and songwriter Robby Benson, along with Benson's wife Karla DeVito.
He also began learning what computers and the new technology named MIDI could do to help with music creation, writing and recording. Russ began working with his old friend, and Hitman band mate, songwriter Kevin Lee along with singer/songwriter Rick Smith.
He also began learning what computers and the new technology named MIDI could do to help with music creation, writing and recording. Russ began working with his old friend, and Hitman band mate, songwriter Kevin Lee along with singer/songwriter Rick Smith.After some unforeseen plans, Russ again relocated back to New York and eventually Tampa Florida where he and his wife grew up. It was at this point that Russ started another chapter in his life which became a new career, that of computers. Now with space, time and money Russ began putting his music studio together. He then rebuilt it again after buying out a much larger studio. After rewiring and upgrading, 
Russ began a 2 year collaborative song-writing period with old friend, band mate and songwriter Rick Johnston. Along with an exceptional vocalist, singer/songwriter Bo Smith. The effort was appropriately named Two Guyz and another Guy (or CC3.)
Russ began a 2 year collaborative song-writing period with old friend, band mate and songwriter Rick Johnston. Along with an exceptional vocalist, singer/songwriter Bo Smith. The effort was appropriately named Two Guyz and another Guy (or CC3.)Now, this part is not going to make much sense but here goes; Russ pulls another major life-style change. After 12 years and now working for a very large corporation, Russ switched careers from a Network DBA (network and database administrator) which is a very demanding and high-stress job, to a United States Coast Guard licensed charter boat, fly fishing and light tackle sport fishing guide. As Russ says, "I love my high-tech but I love fishing too!" Go figure...
Then, through friends, Russ was introduced to some interesting new music, especially with regards to guitar. Nouveau Flamenco was the name given to describe this multi-textured sound. With nylon string guitars, fretless basses, rhythm's a-plenty and percussion of every color, Russ heard something that struck him deep. Next, while at a garage sale near his home he picked up a used and cheap classical, nylon string guitar. "I had always liked the sound of a nylon string guitar but never had a chance to really play one for any amount of time." Russ says.
Now, many miles later and with a renewed musical calling, Russ is again writing, recording and playing. This time with some different sounds but with a musical maturity way beyond his beginning. Russ hopes people will join him on this new adventure.
Russ Shirley Biography
