Barry Ryan (singer)
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| Barry Ryan | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Barry Sapherson |
| Born | October 24, 1948 Leeds, Yorkshire |
| Associated acts | Paul Ryan, Marion Ryan |
Barry Ryan (born Barry Sapherson, 24 October 1948, Leeds, Yorkshire) was an English pop singer. He is currently a photographer.
The son of pop singer Marion Ryan, Ryan and his twin brother Paul began to perform at the age of 16. In 1965 they signed a recording contract with Decca and, under the name of "Paul & Barry Ryan", brought out singles such as "Don't Bring Me Your Heartaches" (1965), "Have Pity on the Boy" (1966) and "Missy Missy" (1966). His stepfather was the American agent and music promoter Harold Davison.
When it turned out that Ryan's brother was unable to cope any longer with the stress connected with show business, the brothers decided that Paul would write the songs which Ryan would interpret as a solo artist. Their greatest success as a composer-singer duo, now for MGM Records, was "Eloise" (1968), melodramatic and heavily orchestrated. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.[1] Later singles included "Love Is Love" (also 1968), "The Hunt" (1969), "Magical Spiel" (1970) and "Kitsch" (1970).
"Love Is Love", written by Paul Ryan and released in the United Kingdom during February 1969, was not a great success in his own country. However combining sales from Germany, Austria and the Netherlands, "Love is Love" sold a million copies by August 1969, the second million-seller for Ryan.[1]
Ryan was also popular in Germany. Promoted by Bravo, the German youth magazine, he also recorded a number of songs in German, for example "Die Zeit macht nur vor dem Teufel Halt" ("Time Only Stops for The Devil").
Ryan stopped performing in the early 1970s. There were rumours that he had had an accident in the recording studio. Supposedly he suffered serious burn wounds in the face and could no longer appear in public. However, 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 UK in 2003, singing "Eloise" backed by The Dakotas.
[edit] Private life
Ryan has been married to:
- Her Highness Tunku (Princess) Miriam binti al-Marhum Sultan Sir Ibrahim (born 1950), the only child of Major-General H.R.H. Paduka Sri Sultan Al-Haj Sir Ibrahim al-Mashur ibni al-Marhum Sultan Sir Abu Bakar, Sultan of Johore, and his fourth wife, Sultana Marcella (née Marcella Mendl, 1915–1982). Married in 1978 and divorced in 1980, they had no children.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. pp. 247 & 267. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
- ^ Royalark.net
[edit] External links
- http://www.barryryan.net/ the photographer, official site
- Discography
- Barry Ryan discography at Discogs
