Sam Ryder is an English singer and songwriter who began his career in the hard rock and metal circuits fronting groups like the Morning After and Blessed by a Broken Heart before starting a solo career as a pop artist. Wielding his versatile and dynamic vocal range, he parlayed an unexpected bout of viral success into a major-label deal and debuted in early 2021 with powerful pop-driven singles like “Whirlwind” and “Tiny Riot.”
Raised in Essex, Ryder grew up admiring the vocal power and range of English rock titans like Freddie Mercury and Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson. He taught himself to play guitar, but it was his impressive voice that became his ticket into the music industry. After recording a couple of albums with symphonic metal band the Morning After, he was recruited by Canadian glam metal outfit Blessed by a Broken Heart to become their frontman. He was a key part of the band’s 2012 LP, Feel the Power, and after parting ways in 2013 he tried his luck in Nashville, writing songs and pitching himself to labels. He even recorded a 2016 full-length that never saw the light of day. During the COVID-19 lockdown of 2020, he casually tried a more spontaneous route, posting short a cappella videos of himself singing hit songs on the internet. Drawn in by his soulful powerhouse voice, he soon developed a following and was signed by Parlophone, which issued his debut single, “Whirlwind,” in early 2021. Against atmospheric backdrops, additional singles like “Set You Free” and “Tiny Riots” combined his hard rock chops with pop hooks.
