Barry Ryan biography

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.

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"; english recording as "Today" released on the album "Red Man" in 1971) 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.

In 1992, Barry's brother Paul died of cancer.

Barry Ryan died on 28 September 2021, after complications from a lung disorder.