[2][3] Russell made his professional debut as Vic Flick's replacement as lead guitarist in the John Barry Seven.

In 1973 he was a member of the band Mouse, which released a progressive rock album entitled Lady Killer for the Sovereign record label.

[citation needed] In 1963, Russell assumed Vik Flick's position as lead guitarist of the John Barry Seven.

[6] Russell's TV compositions have included A Touch of Frost, for which he won a Royal society Television Award,[7] Bergerac, Plain Jane, A Bit of a Do, Rich Tea and Sympathy, The Inspector Alleyn Mysteries, Dangerfield and Grafters, as well as The Murder of Meredith Kercher and BBC's Hooded Men.

[5] In March 2020, Russell featured on an episode of the BBC Television programme Antiques Roadshow, in which his fretless six-string electric guitar, made by Bartell and gifted to him by George Harrison, having originally belonged to John Lennon, was valued at £300,000-£400,000.