Ricky Byrd | |
|---|---|
 Byrd performing live in 2017 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Richard Scott Bird |
| Born | October 20, 1956 Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | rock, blues, soul |
| Occupation(s) | guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer, alcohol and substance abuse counselor, public speaker |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1970–present |
| Labels | RCA, Kayos, Recovery Troubadour, Boardwalk, MCA |
| Website | www |
Ricky Byrd (born Richard Scott Bird; October 20, 1956) is a rock and roll guitar player, singer, songwriter and producer. He spent over a decade as a member of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, where he contributed music and background vocals to two platinum albums, I Love Rock 'n Roll and Up Your Alley, the gold certified Album, and four others for the band.[1]
Byrd has performed, recorded or toured with The Who's Roger Daltrey, Ian Hunter, Southside Johnny, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh, Alice Cooper, Mavis Staples, Billy Squier, Darlene Love, Smokey Robinson, The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson, Jimmy Page, Steve Miller, Steven Van Zandt, John Waite, Ronnie Spector, Graham Nash, Don Felder, Bruce Springsteen, Dion, Elvis Costello, Paul Shaffer, Bonnie Bramlett, Bobby Whitlock, Sam Moore, Billie Joe Armstrong, Gary Clark Jr., Peter Wolf, Stevie Wonder, among others. He has co-written or had his songs covered by numerous artists[2] including Roger Daltrey, Joan Jett, Genya Ravan, Chris Farlowe, B.J.Scott, Sanne Salomonsen, and more.
Byrd has released 5 solo albums (Tough Room...This World, Lifer, Clean Getaway, Sobering Times and NYC Made), Clean Getaway and Sobering Times containing lyrics that focus on addiction, recovery, and hope, drawing on his own past struggles with drugs and alcohol. In recovery for over thirty years, Byrd performs at benefit shows to raise awareness and money for drug and alcohol treatment facilities, and is a certified recovery coach and drug and alcohol counselor. He coined the phrase, "Recovery Troubadour",[3] as he leads recovery music groups at treatment facilities around the United States.
- ^ "Ricky Byrd". Discogs.com. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
- ^ Cohen, Elliot Stephen (July 2013). "Ricky Byrd Cool and Greasy". Vintage Guitar.
- ^ "Ricky Byrd". Speakersforchange.org. Retrieved August 29, 2019.