Barry Ryan (singer)
| Barry Ryan | |
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Barry Ryan performing in 2015
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Barry Sapherson |
| Born |
24 October 1948 Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1964-1999 |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts | |
Barry Ryan (born Barry Sapherson, 24 October 1948, Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire) is an English former pop singer. He currently works as a photographer.
The son of pop singer Marion Ryan began performing with his twin brother Paul at the age of 16. In 1965 they signed a recording contract with Decca under the name of Paul & Barry Ryan. Within two years they had amassed 8 Top 50 singles in the UK. Their best sellers were "Don't Bring Me Your Heartaches", a #13 hit in 1965, "I Love Her", a #17 hit in 1966 and "Have Pity on the Boy", a #18 hit the same year.
In 1967, Paul was 19 and attended a party held by Richard Harris shortly after he recorded MacArthur Park. This party caused a revelation that changed Paul's life, and he soon wrote his first song "Eloise", which was a huge hit in the following year. Barry credits Harris for the life changing event.
This success took its toll on Paul, who was unable to cope any longer with the stress of show business. It was decided that Barry would now continue as a solo artist, enabling his brother to stay out of the limelight and write songs for his twin to perform. Their greatest achievement as a composer-singer duo, now for MGM Records, was "Eloise", a #2 hit in 1968. Melodramatic and heavily orchestrated, it sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc. "Love is Love", their next chart entry, also became a million-seller.
Ryan was also popular in Germany and France. The single "Red Man" reached #2 in the French chart in 1971. Promoted by Bravo, the German youth magazine, he recorded a number of songs in German. "Die Zeit macht nur vor dem Teufel Halt" ("Time Only Stops for the Devil") peaked at #8.
Ryan stopped performing in the early 1970s. He made a comeback in the late 1990s when a two CD set with his and his brother's old songs was released. Ryan was also part of the "Solid Silver '60s Tour" of the United Kingdom in 2003, singing "Eloise" backed by the Dakotas.
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