Joan Jett & The Blackhearts' RICKY BYRD on life, love, recovery ... and music.

New York born, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, guitarist /singer- songwriter Ricky Byrd (inducted in 2015 with Joan Jett and The Blackhearts), has had a career in music, spanning more than 40 years. He spent over a decade as a member of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts where he contributed music and background vocals to two platinum albums, I Love Rock 'n Roll and Up Your Alley, the gold certified Album, and four others for the band.

Although best known for his time spent with The Blackhearts, Ricky has also recorded and played with Roger Daltrey, and toured with Ian Hunter and Southside Johnny. He has shared the stage with music royalty including Paul McCartney, Ringo, Alice Cooper, Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zandt, Joe Walsh, Mavis Staples, Dion, Brian Wilson, Smokey Robinson, Jimmy Page, Graham Nash, and Elvis Costello…to name just a few.

While the lead guitarist is grateful for all his many musical achievements, Ricky often says one of his greatest gifts came about in 1987 when he started his journey in recovery. He’s been clean and sober ever since, doing whatever he can to help others recover. It’s his passion and what he’s most proud of.

Ricky began combining music with recovery in 2012, when he co-wrote a song with his friend, Richie Supa. The two wound up writing what is now considered a recovery classic “Broken Is A Place.” He wrote a second song, and then a third, and he didn’t stop until the seeds of his 2017 Clean Getaway album were planted.

Today, when he's not performing shows, he visits treatment facilities with his guitar and performs for residents. He also does a great deal of public speaking to help as many people suffering from drug and alcohol addiction as he can.

 Ricky has a new single out now – "Louanne" his first in many years that is unrelated to recovery .

Ricky says, “My last 2 records “Clean Getaway” and “Sobering Times” had lyrics that spoke to the issues of addiction and recovery. With this new batch of tunes that I’m releasing as singles, I was consciously staying away from that subject matter. 'Louanne' started with the riff and chords, as do most of the songs I write. Then I start to mumble words and fool with a melody. As I was going through the usual process I blurted out “Louanne.. if anybody 
could you can.” Then came the line“Why don’t you go on and get yourself right .. Louanne.” I knew at that point where I was headed! So I guess you can say lyrically Louanne is a song of 
encouragement for someone struggling with something, and the music is being driven by a nasty RnR riff.”

Ricky Byrd joins us this week as our special guest to share his amazing story.