Ryan Molloy , musical star of "Jersey Boys," just finished a show in Southampton, southern England. Despite the fact that the show was held in a provincial city far from London, major British media were there to cover the show because it was a performance by one of the UK's leading stars.Daily Echo. has written a very positive review. Here is an exclusive interview with him.
We met up with Ryan at his favorite English breakfast restaurant in Notting Hill, where he used to live, and, as breakfast is the first thing that energizes you for the day, we started with a hearty breakfast and enjoyed listening to Ryan's stories as he spoke with his body language and hand gestures.
Your career is very unique. You played the lead role in the hit musical "Jersey Boys" in London's West End for six years and on Broadway for a limited time. You have been described by the British media as "one of the few well-known musical stars". What other plays have you performed?
Your debut in the West End (London's equivalent of Broadway) was in Boy George's musical "Taboo. . I played the role of Steve Strange of the British 70's band Visage ,. I also played the role of a transgender man in a contemporary opera. Last year, I played the lead role of Che Guevara in "Che Guevara's Night Off," a musical for which I produced the music for the first time, and toured Ireland.
Is Che Guevara a historical musical?
. a comedy, but based on a real-life story. I sang some acoustic ballads that I wrote myself. Last year, I also performed "27," a rock musical at the Fringe Theater (a small theater that mainly showcases the works of young creators), and sang hard rock songs for the first time in a long time.
How did a West End star end up in such a small theater?
. was interested in the story." It was the story of musicians like Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Amy Winehouse, who lost their lives at the age of 27 through a path of self-destruction, especially while the Amy Winehouse documentary was gaining attention as a social issue. The script by the young creators was excellent, and I was reminded once again of the quality of grassroots productions. I'm glad I got to perform."
. You have a curious mind, don't you? Speaking of rock, you are the former vocalist of Frankie Goes To Hollywood (FGTH), known for the hit "Relax.
. "I was chosen from an open call for a project to revive the band for a British TV show, because Holly Johnson had left the band. I think my voice suited the songs of FGTH. It was a great experience for me to be a part of a band that I grew up listening to and that took the world by storm. I ended up staying with the band for about three years, playing as the trio at a concert hosted by the British Royal Family at the Wembley Arena and touring in Europe. After I left the band, I stayed in touch with the producer Trevor Horn, and I also participated in his band's shows as a vocalist.
It seems that the Jersey Boys stage also received very high praise for Ryan's falsetto vocals and singing, which were essential to the role of Frankie that he played.
Frankie Valli himself has praised my work many times on BBC programs and in newspaper interviews, which has made me very happy. . Thanks to him, I have been invited to perform on Broadway, and I have songs on the soundtracks of films in which I have not appeared.
When did you start making music? Did you start with music before theater?
I'm from the Northeast of England , but moved to Los Angeles at the age of 19 to become an actor. I discovered Danny Hathaway's music while hanging out in the soul and R&B clubs that were popular in L.A.'s South Central area. Then I started singing. Since turning pro, I've been in a lot of different bands in a lot of different genres."
What other bands and musicians have you worked with?
I was also a guest on Barbra Streisand's London show, and a vocalist on an album by Phats&Small, a group known for their remixes of EW&F songs. I have also been a vocalist on an album by a group called Phats&Small, known for their EW&F remix.
Turn On The Night" CD with bilingual lyrics and liner notes
I'm looking forward to hearing your vocals live in Japan. You have already released two albums in Japan, including "Turn On The Night," an album of mainly original songs from the past, and "Sing's Frankie," a collection of Four Seasons covers including hits by the Jersey Boys. Do you sing songs from musicals as well, of course?
The Tokyo show will be divided into two parts. In the first half, I will sing Jersey Boys, FGTH, Che Guevara Musical, and some of my original songs from the past in order to introduce the audience to the history of my career. The second half will be a complete change, with a showcase of songs from my new album, which is currently in production and scheduled for release in the summer.
I heard that there are people who come all the way from the U.K. to attend your live concerts in Tokyo.
Andy Wright, the producer of the new album and a longtime friend of mine, is the very talented producer of the #1 single in the UK charts by the 80's band Simply Red, as well as albums by Tom Jones, Eurorhythmics, Jeff Peck, and many others. Peck, to name a few. Not only does Andy produce, he also produces. Andy not only produces the albums, but he also joins the band himself! And, Andy has asked the Japanese guitar prodigy Kenji Suzuki of Simply Red to join the band to play in Japan. It's going to be a great band!
One of the songs on the new album has the same title as the live show, "Big in Japan," which includes a rap song, "I'm 5'7" in England, but in Japan I'm taller.
The new album is romantic and funky . The songs are full of energy. There are also ballads that will grab your heart. I will bring my beats to Japan."
Lastly, what would you like to say to your Japanese fans?
I'll be there in time for April 15, although it will take me a little longer since I'll be taking the tube from London! Please come visit us, everyone!"
Text_Miki Ishikawa
Edit_Jun Nakada
Ryan Molloy's Big In Japan Live
Date & Time: April 15, 2017 (Sat.) Doors open at 17:00 / Start at 18:00
Venue: WALL&WALL Omotesando
Price: ¥4,000 in advance / ¥4,500 at the door
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