Ricky Byrd is first and foremost – a man living in long term recovery. He also happens to be part of rock ‘n roll royalty. He is a well-recognized musician who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as the lead guitarist and former original member of Joan Jett and The Blackhearts. Ricky played with Joan from 1981-1992, and has also recorded or toured with Roger Daltrey, Ian Hunter, Southside Johnny and many other talented musicians since that time.
Ricky most recently has been combining his love for music with his passion and mission to help carry the torch of change surrounding the stigma of drug and alcohol use. He hopes to break down the barriers and spread the message of hope, education, awareness and addiction resources to his audiences. Using the healing powers of music as a touchstone, Ricky likes to motivate those early in recovery or still struggling, along with their family members. Whether it’s through his various speaking appearances, concert events, music outreach sessions, small recovery music groups, or prevention programs, Ricky is dedicated to inspiring change.
As a songwriter, who now often focuses on recovery lyrics, Ricky moves people to laugh, cry and think. He’s played his songs in the most intimate of rooms as well as to hundreds of thousands all over the world. He recognizes the power of the word and the music and often combines both into a message of hope and encouragement for sobriety.
Ricky can contribute to an event by sharing famous rock ‘n roll stories in a keynote address or by performing recovery music from his latest CD, Clean Getaway. There is also a special place in his heart for smaller group settings where he can play acoustic guitar and clearly see the faces, tears, smiles and struggles up close. Ricky feels that music therapy and the open discussion that follows can lead broken souls to find that little bit of happiness – and encouragement they need to move forward.
He presents on the benefits of a sober lifestyle and likes talking to youth, who are at that age, where pressures and experimenting can often lead them down a crooked and deadly path. Ricky takes pride in also educating those individuals in our communities that are somehow unaware and uninformed of the deadly drug and alcohol pandemic we are facing in this country.
In 2017, Ricky received the Drug Free Heroes Award, presented by Foundation For a Drug free World. He is proud to help others find a message and purpose to getting clean and sober.
Cosponsored by: Monmouth University’s Office of Substance Awareness, Students in Recovery, Student Activities Board, The Music and Theatre Department
FREE and OPEN to the public, but registration is recommended.