The band became very popular in Australia and released three singles – Hide and Seek, When I Come Home and Hush. He left the group 18 months later.
After visiting old friend Ronnie Burns, Russell decided to try and make it as a solo artist.
In early 1969 he went into the studio to record his debut solo single, The Real Thing.
Produced by future Countdown svengali Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum, the record topped the Australian charts and earned Russell a gold record. Almost overnight he was a pop star and, with each new single and album, he went from success to success.
Russell later re-recorded Hush as a solo single and once again it became a national hit.
