Ryan O'Donnell (born 20 November 1982 in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England) grew up in Germany. After earning a degree in animation at the Surrey Art Institute he joined the metal band 2 Degree Field as a singer and guitarist. The band broke up when all the members finished college. He then went to study acting at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, where he met his mentor, the conductor John O'Hara.
Ryan O'Donnell | |
|---|---|
| Born | 20 November 1982 Halifax, West Yorkshire, England |
| Genres | Progressive rock, rock, musical |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Labels | Chrysalis Records |
| Website | https://www.facebook.com/ODonnell82/ |
After University, O'Donnell began an acting career, working briefly in the theater and in the circus, until he broke his leg in 2006, preventing him from working for nine months. After a full recovery, he entered the Royal Shakespeare Company, joining the production of Romeo and Juliet, and later landed the role of Jimmy in the theatrical production of Quadrophenia. On that occasion, he returned to meet John O'Hara, who had organised the musical arrangement of Quadrophenia. Then he collaborated with Cat Stevens in a duet with the British singer in the song "Matthew and Son".[1]
In 2012, he participated in the making of Ian Anderson's album Thick as a Brick 2,[2] sequel to the historical Jethro Tull's album Thick as a Brick (1972). In 2014, O'Donnell was present again in the sixth solo album by Anderson, Homo Erraticus.[3] And on that same year, he was featured on Ian Anderson's Thick as a Brick - Live in Iceland album.
In 2015, O'Donnell joined the West End cast of Sunny Afternoon, as an understudy for both the role of Ray Davies and Dave Davies. After the cast change he also became alternate for the role of Ray Davies, only to take on the role full-time[4] in the Sunny Afternoon UK Tour in 2016. In 2023, he played Pontius Pilate on the UK tour of Jesus Christ Superstar.[5]
Discography edit
- Thick as a Brick 2 (2012)
- Homo Erraticus (2014)
- Thick as a Brick - Live in Iceland (2014)
References edit
- ^ "Ryan O'Donnell Bio on Jethro Tull official website". Jethrotull.com. 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
- ^ "TAAB2 by Ian Anderson". Jethrotull.com. 11 April 2012.
- ^ "Homo Erraticus by Ian Anderson". Jethrotull.com. 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
- ^ "Sunny Afternoon: The Hit Musical About The Kinks". Sunnyafternoonthemusical.com. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
- ^ Sophie Thomas (10 August 2023). "Full cast announced for Jesus Christ Superstar tour". www.whatsonstage.com.