Barry Ryan

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, with his twin brother Paul, Ryan 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. Later singles included "Love Is Love" (also 1968), "The Hunt" (1969), "Magical Spiel" (1970) and "Kitsch" (1970).

Read more artist reviews on