Paul & Barry Ryan

Born to the well-known vocalist Marion Ryan, the identical twins Paul and Barry entered the world on 24 October 1948 in Leeds as Paul and Barry Sapherson. Marketed from the outset as a polished, wholesome duo amid considerable industry fanfare, they scored their first chart entry when “Don’t Bring Me Your Heartaches” climbed into the UK Top 20 in 1965. Subsequent releases “Have Pity On The Boy” and “I Love Her” secured modest but steady positions on the listings. In 1966 and 1967 the brothers deliberately shed their refined image, issuing the Hollies-penned “Have You Ever Loved Somebody” followed by Cat Stevens’s “Keep It Out Of Sight,” yet neither track matched earlier commercial returns. The pair parted on friendly terms in 1968, Paul turning to songwriting while Barry pursued a solo recording path. Their joint effort produced “Eloise,” which became Barry’s strongest success, peaking at number 2 in Britain and achieving million-selling status, though later singles could not replicate that performance. Among Paul’s compositions was “I Will Drink The Wine,” later recorded by Frank Sinatra, but neither sibling managed to maintain the early momentum. Barry sustained severe facial burns in an accident during 1969. Paul relocated to the United States in the 1970s, eventually withdrew from music entirely, and established a chain of hairdressing salons before succumbing to cancer on 29 November 1992.