As I continue through my writing course this is the piece for Week Six
To Dream The Impossible Dream
A tangential peek at Phil Ryan
Phil Ryan is an attractive, well-dressed multi-facetted man of 55, described in Wikipedia an “entrepreneur” Behind his achievements which can be Googled in an instant, lies 'the man', who made it all happen. The inner persona, driven to 'run where the brave dare not go' and 'to be willing to march into hell, for a heavenly cause'. It is his sense of pure enthusiasm, which has allowed him to embrace a far broader range of topics than most are willing to attempt. He modestly describes himself as a "Jack of all trades and a master of some" and says one reason for his varied works is that he is "able to compartmentalise” his life, but in his heart, he says, "I am a singer, songwriter and guitarist" and yet his influence on the lives of others, must not be underestimated.
One key aspect of his character is his fascination with Storms. This can be seen by the titles of two of his albums 'Storm Warning' and 'The Storm House' and his publishing Company Storm Books. He recalls as a child being taken on the water in a boat by his daredevil father during thunderstorms. Phil remembers pleading, "Dad this is dangerous" to no avail, but he did grew to love storms so for him the word is charged in many ways. Not only was he aware of the deafening noise and the power of the Storm, but also the utter silence directly after it as the scent of Ozone hung in the air. This assault on all the senses and the deep emotional reactions are probably vital characteristics, which makes Phil Ryan the man he is.
Briefly skimming his biography (so save you the Google), his biography shows a range of skills many aspire to, but few could achieve, unless you were to find yourself fortunate enough to work on a project with the man himself. The complete biography of Phil Ryan, includes his work as an author, playwright, gag and script writer, founder of the 12-bar Club in London, founder of Storm Books, but his "real love", he says is as a singer songwriter, guitarist. One achievement, ingrained into his memory, is fronting the legendary band The Animals to a crowd of 100,000 in Moscow in the early 1990's, where the choking control of communism was only just starting to release its grip. Phil recalls with emotion the audience singing "We gotta get out of this place" which gave the words far more meaning given that every single voice wanted to leave with the band at the end of the gig.
It is clear his willingness to engage with those individuals, young and old written off by 'society' as 'no hopers' show his fundamental character. Phil Ryan is someone who instinctively sees the positive aspects in human beings and allows them to achieve their own previously 'impossible dream'. One part of his career is the formation, with John Bird (MBE) of The Big Issue in 1991. He proudly tells of one homeless man who came to him wanting to write an article about the way some charities use far too much money helping themselves, rather than the homeless they represent. The Big Issue allowed this man to become what Phil Ryan saw - "a brilliant writer", though to most people he was just another person on the street to be 'not seen'. Phil talks of the Big Issue Vendors who "take the brave step to stand on the streets in all weathers," to work themselves out of homelessness. "That is hard," he adds.
"I had a great deal of help when I was young" and his advice to everyone is "Don't stop believing in what you do. People will tell you what you do is not commercial and will try and mould you to their idea of what you should be." These are wise words as are the advice "Be true to what you do." Phil gives advice hoping that those who receive it will listen, because when he was given advice at a pivotal moment in his life he didn't take it. "I don't regret it," he says, but "I do wonder how my life would have been different if I had listened." It is clear his willingness to engage with people written off by 'society' as 'no hopers' show his fundamental character as someone who instinctively sees the positive aspects in human beings and allows them to achieve their own previously 'impossible dream'.
Asked what he would do if he became Minister for the Arts Phil replied enthusiastically. "Give Councils bigger budgets, because that creates jobs. I would change the law to allow empty commercial buildings to be used to allow people of all ages to positively engage with each other to share experiences and skills." In this aging society, Phil is enthusiastic that all ages should be engaged equally. "We live in an ageist country that ignores older people." He explained how these disused buildings could be brought back into use with only a small budget and that older people could feel both useful and appreciated as they pass on the wisdom and experiences to teenagers and younger people, who currently roam the streets through having little to do.
We do not need Phil Ryan as Minister for the Arts. We need his as Arts Czar so he can implement his plans, without the dreadful soul destroying game of politics needed to become Minister for the Arts. Maybe without realising it Phil Ryan's quest is and always has been to allow others to realise their Impossible Dreams.
Photograph from:
The Impossible Dream (The Quest) written by composed by Mitch Leigh, with lyrics written by Joe Darion inspired by Phil Ryan dedicated to Liberace.
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