Ross Ryan

Ross Edwin Ryan (born 13 December 1950, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas) is an Australian singer-songwriter and producer. His signature tune, "I Am Pegasus", was released in September 1973, which peaked at No. 9 on the Go-Set Top 40 Australian Singles. Its parent album, My Name Means Horse, appeared in April 1974, which reached No. 3 on the related Go-Set Top 20 Australian Albums. Ryan's other Top 40 singles are "I Don't Want to Know About It" (July 1973) and "Blue Chevrolet Ballerina" (June 1975).

Biography

Early years

Ross Ryan was born on 13 December 1950 in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The family moved to Mount Manypeaks near Albany in 1959 where they settled on a sheep farm of 3,000 acres (1,200 ha). By the age of 13 years he was writing songs and learning guitar. Ryan attended Albany High, where he took the lead in The Music Man; and he produced a radio program, High School Half Hour, for the local station 6VA. He joined a number of local bands including The Sett and Saffron.

Ryan moved to Perth, undertook an electronics course and worked as an audio operator at a TV station, STW 9. He started his musical career in 1968. From mid-1970 to late 1971 Ryan used the station's facilities to record his debut album, Home Movies, which was self-funded on the RR label. The local Perth radio station 6PM played tracks from his album.