Barry Ryan -

Barry and Paul Ryan were English twin singers and songwriters whose joint career split into separate recording paths by the late 1960s. The brothers placed eight singles on the UK chart as Paul & Barry Ryan before Paul withdrew from regular performance. Paul then wrote and produced material for Barry, whose 1968 recording of “Eloise” reached No. 2 in the UK and topped charts across continental Europe. Barry made five solo albums through 1972; Paul later recorded the 1976 solo album Scorpio Rising.

Background

Barry and Paul Sapherson were born on October 24, 1948, in Leeds; the twin songs of antique dealer Fred Sapherson (1913–2001) and singer Marion Ryan (1931–1999), an eventual radio and television entertainer who scored a 1958 UK Top 5 hit with “Love Me Forever.” Their grandmother raised the twins while Marion pursued her early singing career; both brothers later attended Fulneck School near Leeds.

The family moved to London when the brothers were sixteen. Marion Ryan and impresario Harold Davison guided their entry into music, and Decca signed the pair in 1965 as Paul & Barry Ryan.

Decca issued “Don’t Bring Me Your Heartaches” in September 1965 (b/w “To Remind You”), which reached No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart. “Have Pity on the Boy” reached No. 18 in 1966, followed by “I Love Her” at No. 17 and “I Love How You Love Me” at No. 21. Further chart entries included “Have You Ever Loved Somebody,” “Missy Missy,” “Keep It Out of Sight,” and “Claire.”

Two of a Kind

Paul and Barry Ryan released their debut album, Two of a Kind, in July 1967 on Decca. Some editions credited the duo as the Ryans.

Two of a Kind contains fourteen outside compositions and casts the twins chiefly as interpreters. Repertoire includes Buddy Holly and the Crickets (“That’ll Be the Day”), The Yardbirds (“I Can’t Make Your Way”), The Hollies (“Fifi the Flea,” “Pay You Back with Interest”), and Sam & Dave (“You Don’t Know Like I Know”).

“That’ll Be the Day” chimes through layered 12-string guitar as close harmony locks into each turn. “I Made Her That Way” rides a bright repeating figure with direct paired phrasing. “Am I Wasting My Time” swells through broad ballad drama and an outsized emotional rise.

“Pay You Back with Interest” answers bright brass with forceful lines while emphatic percussion drives each refrain. “Progress” emerges from a murky bass entrance, then surges into fuzz guitar and brisk soul-pop motion. “Hey, Mr Wiseman” opens on a chiming riff, threads close harmony through answering “la-la-la” phrases, and resolves amid busy descending figures.

A1. “That’ll Be the Day” (2:24) – Allison, Holly, Petty
A2. “I Made Her That Way” (2:40) – Callander, Barkan
A3. “I Can’t Make Your Way” (2:02) – Relf, McCarty, Dreja, Beck, Samwell-Smith
A4. “Tonight’s the Night” (2:54) – Reed, Mason
A5. “(Love) You Don’t Know What It Means” (2:56) – Murray, Callander
A6. “Am I Wasting My Time” (2:39) – Roberts, Rooms
A7. “Fifi the Flea” (2:49) – Clarke, Hicks, Nash

B1. “Pay You Back with Interest” (2:37) – Clarke, Hicks, Nash
B2. “Progress” (2:01) – Halley, Spencer
B3. “Hey, Mr. Wiseman” (2:10) – Leander, Mills
B4. “‘Twas on a Night Like This” (2:54) – Reed, Mason, Stephens
B5. “You Don’t Know Like I Know” (2:18) – Hayes, Porter
B6. “Comedy Girl” (2:45) – Leander, Mills
B7. “Silent Street” (2:37) – Mason, Reed

Chris Curtis produced Two of a Kind for Decca. The former Searchers drummer recently assembled the original Roundabout lineup with Jon Lord and Ritchie Blackmore.

Decca issued “Keep It Out of Sight” in February 1967 (b/w “Who Told You”), which reached No. 30 on the UK Singles Chart. “Claire” followed in May (b/w “I’ll Make It Worth Your While”) and reached No. 47.

Teensville collected the duo’s Decca and MGM recordings on the 2018 two-disc anthology Have Pity on the Boys! The Complete Recordings 1965–1968.

Paul & Barry Ryan

Paul & Barry Ryan released their second and final duo album, Paul & Barry Ryan, in 1968 on MGM.

The album contains twelve tracks and closes with “We Are Going Home,” Paul’s sole composition on the album. Outside repertoire includes Bo Diddley (“Mama, Keep Your Big Mouth Shut”) and Tommy Roe (“Little Miss Sunshine”).

“Golden Gate” unfolds through ornate late-1960s studio detail. “The Sun’s in the Sky” extends similarly elaborate pop construction through broad, polished turns. “We Are Going Home” gathers psychedelic ensemble effects into an expansive final statement.

A1. “Mama, Keep Your Big Mouth Shut”
A2. “Roomful of Questions”
A3. “I Can’t Make a Friend”
A4. “Are You Ready for Me”
A5. “24,049th in Succession”
A6. “Golden Gate”

B1. “Why, Baby, Why”
B2. “The Sun’s in the Sky”
B3. “One Packet of Cigarettes”
B4. “Big Drum”
B5. “Little Miss Sunshine”
B6. “We Are Going Home”

Steve Rowland produced the non-album MGM single “Pictures of Today.” His contemporary production work included records by The Herd and P.J. Proby.

MGM issued “Heartbreaker” (b/w “Night Time”) and “Pictures of Today” (b/w “Madrigal”) near the end of the duo’s recording run. Neither single entered the UK chart.

Separate Roles

Paul withdrew from regular stage work in 1968 as the demands of touring and television appearances intensified. The brothers retained their creative partnership: Barry became the recording performer, while Paul concentrated on composition and production.

Paul wrote “Eloise” after Barry began recording as a solo artist. MGM issued the song in October 1968, backed with “Love I Almost Found You.” Its orchestral arrangement extended beyond five minutes, an unusual length for a contemporary single.

Barry Ryan Sings Paul Ryan

Barry Ryan released his debut solo album, Barry Ryan Sings Paul Ryan, in April 1969 on MGM.

The album contains eleven Paul compositions, including “Eloise” and “The Colour of My Love”; Paul also supplies the complete repertoire on the self-titled follow-up. Barry recorded the set with arranger and musical director Johnny Arthey under producer Bill Landis.

“Theme to Eutopia” emerges from ominous Latin chanting, then expands through abrupt tempo changes and broad dramatic turns. “Why Do You Cry My Love” surges through theatrical contrasts and sudden shifts in speed. “Crazy Days” sweeps forward beneath tense strings. “Eloise” rises from a pounding piano figure, breaks into a slower psychedelic passage, then returns at full dramatic force. “My Mama” swells into an all-out orchestral peak. “I Will Bring You Love” unfolds on close harmonies and measured phrasing.

A1. “Theme to Eutopia” (3:36)
A2. “Why Do You Cry My Love?” (3:30)
A3. “The Colour of My Love” (2:48)
A4. “Crazy Days” (2:29)
A5. “Eloise” (5:52)
A6. “My Mama” (3:51)

B1. “I Will Bring You Love” (2:34)
B2. “Love Is on the Way” (2:30)
B3. “What’s That Sleeping in My Bed?” (2:20)
B4. “You Don’t Know What You’re Doing” (3:35)
B5. “Kristan Astra Bella” (2:52)

Bill Landis produced the album and began a partnership that continued across Barry’s subsequent Polydor LPs. Johnny Arthey directed the principal arrangements; John Pantry and Michael Claydon engineered the sessions in sequence with Idea, the third Northern Hemisphere Bee Gees album. The brothers recorded the backing track for “Eloise” at IBC Studios in London. Arthey’s 1967–68 assignments also included arrangements for The Foundations across their hit sequence of that period.

MGM issued “Eloise” in October 1968 (b/w “Love I Almost Found You”). The single reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 1 in Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. The Damned scored a UK No. 3 hit with their 1986 “Eloise” cover.

“Love Is Love” followed in 1969 (b/w “I’ll Be on My Way Dear”). It reached No. 25 in the UK and No. 4 in Germany. Continental issues of “The Colour of My Love” reached No. 23 in Germany.

The album reached No. 16 on the German chart. Rev-Ola paired Barry’s first two solo LPs on the 2005 collection Singing the Songs of Paul Ryan 1968–69.

Barry Ryan

Barry Ryan released his second solo album, Barry Ryan, in September 1969 on Polydor.

Arthey returns with new arrangers Richard Hewson and Tony Cox across twelve titles. The German edition replaces “Swallow Fly Away” and “No Living Without Her Love” with “Look to the Right, Look to the Left” and “Oh for the Love of Me.”

“The Hunt” bounds through vaudevillian turns as Ryan cries “Tally Ho” with full force. “Man Alive” drives through a tense romantic narrative. “Makin’ Eyes” pivots into an unexpected Vera Lynn quotation without breaking its ornate motion. “No Living Without Her Love” leans into romantic melodrama through broad, emphatic phrasing. “Sea of Tranquility” unfurls beneath leading strings and sustained dramatic lines. “Feeling Unwell” sets mental distress inside an off-kilter construction. “Where Have You Been” quickens into a lively burst.

A1. “The Hunt” (3:06)
A2. “Sunday Theme” (2:42)
A3. “Look to the Right, Look to the Left” (2:34)
A4. “Sunrise in the Morning” (3:07)
A5. “Isn’t That Wild” (3:28)
A6. “Man Alive” (2:31)

B1. “Makin’ Eyes” (3:01)
B2. “Oh for the Love of Me” (3:04)
B3. “Sea of Tranquility” (3:24)
B4. “I See You” (2:56)
B5. “Feeling Unwell” (2:59)
B6. “Where Have You Been” (3:06)

Landis produced Barry Ryan with arrangements by Johnny Arthey, Richard Hewson, and Tony Cox. Hewson entered the sessions amid orchestral work on Mary Hopkin (Post Card) and James Taylor (James Taylor).

Polydor issued “The Hunt” in September 1969. The single reached No. 34 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 22 in Germany.

Rev-Ola included the album on Singing the Songs of Paul Ryan 1968–69.

Barry Ryan 3

Barry Ryan released his third solo album, Barry Ryan 3, in November 1970 on Polydor. The label issued the LP principally in Germany.

The album mixes seven Paul-led titles with five outside songs, including Cat Stevens (“Wild World”) and Tommy James & the Shondells (“I Like the Way”). “Better Use Your Head” revisits material previously recorded by Little Anthony & the Imperials and Marion Ryan. Paul also joins Landis as co-producer.

“It’s a Wild World” frames Ryan’s emphatic delivery with sweeping strings. “Follow Me” enters with a chorus, then shifts into a driving rhythm. “We Did It Together” bounces through bright accents and buoyant motion. “Song of Love” skips along with jaunty movement and lighter phrasing. “Kitsch” pulses under a sinister theatrical build, then swells toward a bracing finish.

A1. “It’s a Wild World” (3:32) – Stevens
A2. “In the Shelter of My Heart” (2:23) – Rae, Reed
A3. “Stop the Wedding” (3:30) – Giant, Kaye, Baum
A4. “What Is Wrong with My Woman” (2:16) – Paul Ryan
A5. “Llania” (3:44) – Paul Ryan, McKeller
A6. “Follow Me” (3:43) – Paul Ryan

B1. “We Did It Together” (3:02) – Paul Ryan
B2. “Better Use Your Head” (3:02) – Randazzo, Pike
B3. “Who Put the Lights Out” (3:11) – Paul Ryan
B4. “Song of Love” (2:40) – Paul Ryan
B5. “I Like the Way” (2:37) – Cordell
B6. “Kitsch” (4:41) – Paul Ryan

Bill Landis shared production with Paul Ryan, who received his first album-level production credit in the brothers’ catalogue. Johnny Arthey, Richard Hewson, and Tony Cox returned as arrangers.

Paul’s songs reached other performers in 1971. Dana took “Who Put the Lights Out?” to No. 14 on the UK Singles Chart, while Frank Sinatra recorded “I Will Drink the Wine” and “Sunrise in the Morning” for Sinatra & Company.

Polydor issued “Kitsch” in 1970 (b/w “Give Me a Sign”). It reached No. 37 in the UK, No. 10 in Germany, and No. 3 in the Netherlands. “We Did It Together” received a separate single release in parts of continental Europe.

Red Man

Barry Ryan released his fourth solo album, Red Man, in 1971 on Polydor. The label concentrated the original release in Germany and France.

Red Man returns to an almost wholly Paul-composed program. “All Thoughts of Time,” a Barry Ryan–Willie McKellar collaboration, forms the sole exception among twelve tracks.

“Red Man” rides a stern, Russian-derived rhythmic pattern and edges forward on hard accents. “All Thoughts of Time” settles into a tender ballad with an uncanny undertow. “Nobody Was Saved” glides through smooth orchestral turns. “Today” rises with buoyant motion.

“Show Me the Way” flows through sustained tension without losing forward movement. “Dance to the Rhythm of the Band” locks into a firm band pulse. “I’ve Been Around” rolls forward on a steady dance beat. “Ode to a Roadie” barrels through comic touring mishaps.

A1. “Red Man” (3:22) – Paul Ryan
A2. “All Thoughts of Time” (3:34) – Barry Ryan, McKeller
A3. “Oh, What Is Wrong with My World” (2:59) – Paul Ryan
A4. “Easy as You Go” (3:05) – Paul Ryan
A5. “Nobody Was Saved” (2:49) – Paul Ryan
A6. “Today” (2:42) – Paul Ryan, McKeller

B1. “Show Me the Way” (2:11) – Paul Ryan
B2. “Dance to the Rhythm of the Band” (2:55) – Paul Ryan
B3. “Moonshine Girl” (3:16) – Paul Ryan
B4. “I’ve Been Around” (2:25) – Paul Ryan
B5. “Ode to a Roadie” (2:31) – Paul Ryan
B6. “It Is Written” (3:40) – Paul Ryan

Landis produced Red Man with arrangements by Richard Hewson and Tony Cox.

Polydor issued “It Is Written” in 1971 (b/w “Annabelle”). The single reached No. 50 in the Netherlands.

“Red Man” followed with “Loneliest Night of the Year” on the reverse and reached No. 2 in France. Barry also recorded “Today” in German as “Zeit macht nur vor dem Teufel halt,” which reached No. 8 on the German chart.

Sanctus, Sanctus Hallelujah

Barry Ryan released his fifth solo album, Sanctus, Sanctus Hallelujah, in 1972 on Polydor. The original LP appeared principally in Germany.

Sanctus contains the first substantial set of Barry/McKellar originals. The Verge sessions feature guitarist Willie McKellar and bassist Gordon McIntosh, with keyboardist Charlie Miller and drummer Jim Berney. Outside sources include Russ Ballard (“Can’t Let You Go,” “From My Head to My Toe”) and Norman Greenbaum (“Rhode Island Red”).

“Storm Is Brewing” hammers on a fuzzed guitar figure while Ryan belts over a heavy, driving pattern. “When I Was a Child” bounds through bright, compact rock turns. “L.A. Woman” rolls through lean boogie motion as Ryan projects a harder edge.

“I Think You Know My Name” begins sparsely, then gathers force into an increasingly strange dramatic rise. “Alimony Honey Blues” settles into a down-home country-rock shuffle. “Slow Down” barrels through a blunt repeating riff and fast beat. “From My Head to My Toe” combines country-rock movement with broad Ryan-style drama.

A1. “Sanctus, Sanctus Hallelujah” (4:28) – Paul Ryan, Frances
A2. “Life’s So Easy” (2:47) – Barry Ryan, McKeller
A3. “Storm Is Brewing” (4:20) – Barry Ryan, McKeller
A4. “When I Was a Child” (4:02) – Barry Ryan, McKeller
A5. “Loneliest Night of the Year” (4:20) – Paul Ryan
A6. “Can’t Let You Go” (3:01) – Ballard

B1. “L.A. Woman” (3:25) – Bickerton, Waddington
B2. “Rhode Island Red” (2:53) – Greenbaum
B3. “I Think You Know My Name” (4:59) – Paul Ryan, McKeller
B4. “Alimony Honey Blues” (2:51) – Barry Ryan, McKeller
B5. “Slow Down” (3:21) – Barry Ryan, McKeller
B6. “From My Head to My Toe” (2:29) – Ballard

Wayne Bickerton produced Sanctus, Sanctus Hallelujah amid work with The Flirtations and Pacific Drift (Feelin’ Free). Jimmy Bowien produced the English-language title track with orchestration by Mike Moran; Landis produced the separate German-language version. Barry recorded the Ryan–McKeller material with Scottish group The Verge at De Lane Lea Studios in London. McKeller led the quintet, whose manager was Status Quo bassist Alan Lancaster.

Polydor issued “Can’t Let You Go” in 1971 (b/w “When I Was a Child”). The single reached No. 32 on the UK Singles Chart.

“Sanctus, Sanctus Hallelujah” followed in English and German editions and reached No. 42 in Germany. Polydor also issued “From My Head to My Toe” in 1972 (b/w “Alimony Honey Blues”).

Meanwhile, Paul made the 1972 singles “Born On a Beautiful Day” (b/w “Come With Me”) and “Natural Gas” (b/w “Hellow Hellow”), produced by Phil Wainman and arranged by Pip Williams for Maple Annie.

1973–75 Singles

Barry and Paul briefly resumed joint billing across 1973–74. Their releases included “Won’t You Join Me,” the German-language “So lass uns leben,” “Nothing’s Gonna Change Our World,” and “Carry the Blues.”

Barry continued with solo singles for Polydor and Bell. The sequence included “Do It Yourself,” “The Hunt,” “Where Were You,” “It’s a Wild World,” and “Judy.” Paul settled on the American West Coast and prepared his only solo album.

Scorpio Rising

Paul Ryan released his singular solo album, Scorpio Rising, in September 1976 on Charisma.

Scorpio contains eight Paul Ryan originals with elaborate arrangements, including the extended title piece and “Star,” which opens into a spacious orchestral sweep.

“Angel” pivots through firm rhythmic passages within an ornate arrangement. “The Day That Anastasia Romanoff Died” moves between hushed and full orchestral passages as Ryan sings with a light tremor; a mournful chorus gives way to a brief guitar solo before a large final rise. “Man in the Crowd (C’est La Vie)” glides through broad instrumental layers and gentle phrasing.

A1. “Scorpio Rising” (7:09)
A2. “Star” (5:46)
A3. “Angel” (4:15)
A4. “Heaven and Hell” (4:41)

B1. “The Day That Anastasia Romanoff Died” (4:20) – a historical lament for Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna, youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II, who was executed with the Romanov family at Yekaterinburg on July 17, 1918. Her uncertain fate later produced decades of survival claims and impostors.
B2. “Sober Phobia” (4:23)
B3. “Man in the Crowd (C’est la Vie)” (4:50)
B4. “Take It All” (5:43)

Bill Landis resumed his production partnership with Paul, and Mike Claydon engineered the sessions. Claydon’s 1976 assignments also included Rod Stewart recordings for A Night on the Town, including “The Killing of Georgie” and “The First Cut Is the Deepest.”

Charisma lifted “The Day That Anastasia Romanoff Died” as a single (b/w “There Could Have Been Somebody”). In Spain, the historical ballad appeared on the back of “Man in the Crowd.”

Later Activity

Paul left the recording business after Scorpio Rising. He returned to Britain in 1985 and operated a chain of hair salons. Paul Ryan died from lung cancer in London on November 29, 1992, at age forty-four.

Barry developed a parallel career as a fashion and portrait photographer from the late 1970s. His subjects included musicians, actors, and models, and several European magazines published his work. He later resumed occasional performances and issued the self-released album Hello Again in the early 2000s.

Barry Ryan died on September 28, 2021, at age seventy-two following complications from a lung condition.

Cherry Red imprint 7Ts issued the five-disc set The Albums 1969–1979 in 2024. The collection assembled Barry’s five Polydor albums with period singles, alternate-language recordings, and previously unreleased material.