Up-Close with Ricky Byrd

Ricky Byrd is a man for all seasons. He comes more fully alive, though, during baseball season, especially when his beloved Yankees are in First Place. But when it comes to gritty down’n’dirty ‘70s-inspired rock’n’roll, it’s hard to think of another artist who is carrying the torch that Mott The Hoople, The Who, T-Rex, Free, Bad Company, Bowie, Stones, Stax, Motown, Wilson Pickett and James Brown passed on to him. He spent 11 years with Joan Jett & The Black Hearts, a lot of which was when he was down the depths of addiction, but it still earned him his place in the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame. Getting clean wasn’t enough for him so he became a Recovery Warrior, visiting rehab centers, singing his songs and telling his stories in an effort to help others. Along the way, he made the music of Ian Hunter, Roger Daltrey and Southside Johnny even better by being in their bands and adding his own personal touch. His new album, NYC Made, should be on many 2025 Top 10 lists. It’s the most honest and pure rock’n’roll to be found anywhere. We caught up to him at the wedding of his friend Tommy James.

Advertisement
Mike Greenblatt

MIKE GREENBLATT has been writing for Goldmine magazine and New Jersey's Aquarian Weekly for more than 35 years. His writing subjects fill the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He's interviewed Joe Cocker, Graham Nash, David Crosby, Carlos Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Johnny Cash, and members of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. He was 18 when he attended Woodstock in 1969.

In addition to writing about music, Greenblatt has worked on publicity campaigns for The Animals, Pat Benatar, Johnny Winter, Tommy James and Richard Branson, among others. He is currently the editor of The Jersey Sound.

Next
Next

Up-Close with Tommy James