Phil Ryan

Born in Port Talbot, Ryan played trombone in the National Youth Orchestra but his rock career started in 1964 when he formed the Port Talbot/Neath band The Smokestacks, with John Hockin, Gary Pickford-Hopkins, Peter Randal and Gerald Trolley. He found fame with The Eyes Of Blue but also worked with Man, Neutrons, Piblokto and Pete Brown over a long and successful career. Mike caught up with him to talk about his long and varied career when he visited his hometown from Denmark. Phil sadly passed away aged 69 in 2016.