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Marv Ross is an American musician, best known as the lead guitarist and primary songwriter for the 1980s rock band Quarterflash. With a distinctive style blending rock, jazz, and blues influences, Ross helped craft the band's signature sound. His work on hits like "Harden My Heart" and "Take Me to Heart" showcased his skillful guitar playing and lyrical depth, earning Quarterflash widespread acclaim. Beyond his success with the band, Ross is also recognized for his contributions as a composer and producer in the music industry.
On this episode of Dystopia Tonight, Marv Ross and I dive into a fascinating conversation about his diverse musical career. He shares stories from recording an album at the iconic Jersey Shore, finding inspiration in John Denver, working with renowned producer John Boylan, and recalls touring with major acts like Elton John, Loverboy, Sammy Hagar, Starship, and Night Ranger. We also touch on his experience writing music for Ron Howard’s film Night Shift, and Marv tells a memorable story about Burt Bacharach’s obsession with Pac-Man. Additionally, he opens up about his time at The Record Plant, with stories of Ron Wood, Rod Stewart, Giorgio Moroder, Randy Newman, Fleetwood Mac, and Dolly Parton come rushing back to memory.
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Quarterflash
Rindy and Marv first performed together in the 70's at Western Oregon University where they fell in love and got married. While completing their teaching degrees, they began gigging in bands with Rindy playing sax and singing Marv's guitar-driven compositions.
After teaching three years in Central Oregon, they took very early retirements and formed Seafood Mama - a wildly popular dance band that played every smoky hippy bar between Seattle and Portland in the late 70's.
In 1980 they recorded Marv's song, "Harden My Heart" - which became their first hit and led to Geffen Records signing them. Over the next decade they released four albums under a new name, Quarterflash garnering gold and platinum records and tours with Elton John, Linda Ronstadt, and assorted big-haired 80's acts better left unmentioned. It was an exciting-tumultuous-insane era and the Rosses lived out many a fantasy including Marv writing a song with Burt Bacharach and Rindy appearing on Merv Griffin with Richard Simmons.
In 1991 they formed Ross Productions to create music for NW audiences. Their first project was a commission from the state of Oregon to produce a musical based on diaries of immigrants on the Oregon Trail. From that project came The Trail Band and nine CDs of traditional Americana music. Also, the Rosses gained a deep interest in Native American music and Marv began to write his second play, "The Ghosts of Celilo" - a Broadway-styled musical featuring Native American music and culture. "Ghosts" was presented… Read More
