THE PERFORMANCE and READING
Get ready for a night that transcends the ordinary – an electrifying, toe- tapping musical talk show featuring none other than the iconic musician to the stars, Jimmy Ryan. With a career that helped create the soundtrack of generations, Jimmy invites you to dive headfirst into the untold tales and magical music that shaped A-list recording artists and made history in the world of rock and roll.
Jimmy Ryan, a Hall of Fame musician, kicks off the show by regaling you with the zeniths of his career. He unveils video snippets showcasing his six-decade career behind chart-topping hits recorded with the likes of Carly Simon, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Jim Croce, and a galaxy of other luminaries. It’s not just a trip down memory lane; it’s a front-row seat to the making of musical history.
Then, hold on tight as Jimmy, armed with his guitar, musically transports you into the heart of recording sessions with artists spanning from The Beatles, Peter Gabriel and The Eurythmics to The Police, Simon & Garfunkel and Led Zeppelin. Witness the metamorphosis of songs from a raw, unrecognizable form to the iconic masterpieces that grace your playlist. With captivating anecdotes and musical wizardry, Jimmy reveals how each studio musician contributes to the alchemy that turns a melody into a hit record. Then he performs the song in its final form to demonstrate the transformation from raw to finished masterpiece.
Jimmy isn’t just a virtuoso on the stage and in the recording studio; he’s also a critically acclaimed author with a compelling tale to tell. With a wordsmith’s touch, he reads an excerpt from his five-star rated book, “The Superstar Chronicles – Tales of Life Among Rock Royalty”, sharing intimate, first-person, sometimes hilarious, sometimes tragic experiences of life in the studio, on tour buses, planes, hotels, and concert venues, as if you’re in the spotlight with the legends themselves.
As the final words linger in the air, the stage lights up with questions from the audience, after which there is an opportunity to meet the maestro himself and secure a signed copy of “The Superstar Chronicles.”
This isn’t just a show; it’s your golden ticket to an unforgettable night where the magic of music creation comes to life, and you become part of the story.
SHOW REVIEWS
Our nonprofit music school hosts events to bring music education, music appreciation, and music performances to our community. When we had the opportunity to partner with Jimmy and bring him to the stage in Montana, we were thrilled. His ability to incorporate all of the elements above impressed both us and the audience. We loved the multimedia approach that allowed everyone to see, hear, feel, and experience the power of music and share a couple of laughs along the way. Booking the event and working with Jimmy as a client showed his professionalism and it was a breeze. If you are looking for a quality event, don’t hesitate to schedule him for your town, too.
– Jessica Shaw, Director of Opportunity, North Valley Music School
“Jimmy’s show was a two-in-one gift of entertainment and enrichment. The excerpts he read were pure fun and I learned a lot about how music is created from his masterful demonstrations. I can honestly say that I actually hear so much more when I listen to my favorite music.”
– P. Hirshhorn.
“A very unusual show. To musically go through songs and show how their recordings were created by studio musicians was fascinating and a real eye-opener. Then when the reading from the book followed, I felt I knew so much more about the author, making the reading that much more engaging!”
– E. Fossum
“We rarely see inside the recording studio as great music is composed, developed, nurtured, and produced. We hear the song, love it, love the artist, and remain ignorant about the talented studio musicians behind the artist. This is Jimmy Ryan’s unique insight described in his book, The Superstar Chronicles. The book is a wonderful read, exploring the creative process and the studio energy that is crucial to producing a great song and a successful record. Jimmy’s in-person presentation is even more rewarding for he elaborates further on the music he helped create, such as “You’re So Vain”, one of Carly Simon’s greatest hits. Jimmy performs live on his guitar, describing in detail the evolution of a handful of well-known songs, so that the audience gains a deeper understanding of the creative discipline and multiple iterations it takes before a song is ready for release. Jimmy’s discussion, accented by his performance on the guitar, brings fun and great clarity and appreciation to the music itself that only a live presentation from someone who has `been there’ can provide.”
– Dr. Bruce Leslie
THE BOOK
Jimmy Ryan’s first book, The Superstar Chronicles: Tales of Life Among Rock Royalty is an adventure told in a series of revealing, entertaining, sometimes hilarious, sometimes tragic tales that take the reader into the minds of pop stars, the shadier side of the music business, the struggle with setbacks, and the joys of success. From partying at the Playboy Mansion to panicking in a local prison with his bandmates, Ryan shares the experience of over sixty years in the upper echelons of the music business.
BOOK REVIEWS:
With the light-hearted, approachable style of a best friend, Jimmy offers us a “seat” next to him in the studio, concert hall, backstage, hotel room, tour bus and plane — and invites us to join him on a whirlwind adventure few have ever lived and earned the right to tell. Highly entertaining, intimate and deeply fascinating!”
– Brett Wilson, M Music & Musicians Magazine
“A rollicking read, Jimmy Ryan’s autobiography, The Superstar Chronicles, recalls a rock ‘n’ roll life full of concerts, carousing and crazies. Ryan shares mind-boggling stories of the famous and the infamous with gentle wit, making The Superstar Chronicles the next best thing to being a celeb yourself.”
– Suzanne Cadgene, Elmore Magazine
“Guitarist Jimmy Ryan, who we first heard with The Critters in the 1960s, shares his behind-the-scenes stories in The Superstar Chronicles, a well-written, informative and humorous reflection on the past six decades of being in the music spotlight. Ryan takes the reader to worldwide auditions, rehearsals, recording studios, and stages with a great variety of the biggest stars of our lifetime.
– Warren Kurtz, Goldmine Magazine
BOOKINGS
516-965-4915
