Mal Ryder

Paul Bradley Couling (born 27 February 1944), known by his stage name Mal or Mal Ryder, is a singer who achieved popularity in Italy in the late 1960s, singing with his band Mal and the Primitives. Born in Wales, he became a naturalized Italian citizen in 1989. One of his biggest hits was the Italian theme of the TV series '' Fury''.

Life and career

Born in Llanfrenchfa, at young age Mal moved to Oxford, where he worked as an electrician and was vocalist in a number of local groups. In 1963, he formed the group Mal Ryder and the Spirits, which whom he recorded two singles for Decca.

In 1965, he formed the group Mal and the Primitives, with whom he recorded four singles for Pye. The same year, Gianni Boncompagni and Alberico Crocetta offered the band a contract to perform at in Rome. In 1966, the band toured Italy, enjoying immediate success and deciding to settle there. The band's debut Italian single "Yeeeeeh!" was a massive hit, but Mal attracted most of interest by media and fans, leading to the group splitting and Mal starting a solo career.

Mal's first solo hit was "Bambolina", which was followed by his Sanremo Music Festival 1969 entry "Tu sei bella come sei" and by "Pensiero d'amore", a cover of Bee Gees' "I've Gotta Get a Message to You", which was also adapted in a musicarello film with the same title starring the same Mal and Silvia Dionisio.

Following two more Sanremo Music Festival, in 1970 with "Sole pioggia e vento" and in 1971 with "Non dimenticarti di me", and a few more hits, notably "Betty Blue", Mal returned to perform in English language with "Mighty Mighty Roly Poly". In 1975, his career was relaunched by the unexpected success of his cover version of 1932 song "Parlami d'amore Mariù", which topped the Italian hit parade. In 1977, he sold over one million copies with "Furia", the Italian opening theme used for the re-run of the TV-series '' Fury''.

In 1982, Mal made his return to the Sanremo Music Festival with "Sei la mia donna". In the following years, his musical career consisted mainly of live events and appearances on nostalgia-themed TV shows. In 1997, he took part in a successful stage musical version of '' Grease'' starring Lorella Cuccarini. In 2005, he took part in the Canale 5 reality show '' La Fattoria 2''. In 2023, he was the Hippo in ''Il cantante mascherato'', the Italian version of ''Masked Singer''.

Personal life

Mal is married to Renata Maialetti and has a son, Kevin, and a daughter, Karen. They live in Pordenone. Born in a Protestant family, he considers himself an atheist.

References

External links

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The Primitives home page
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Mal (singer)
Living people
1944 births
Welsh expatriates in Italy
Welsh expatriate musicians
British emigrants to Italy
Italian male singers
Italian pop singers
Italian rock singers
Welsh atheists
Italian atheists