John Henry Ryan II, also known as John the Blind, is an American singer, multi-platinum songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist from Rochester, New York. Ryan is best known for co-writing and co-producing One Direction's last four albums and many of their singles. He has written songs for many acclaimed artists. His compositions and productions have sold over 30 million units worldwide.
Early Life
John Henry Ryan II is from Pittsford, NY. He grew up the youngest in his family with his mother, older brother Joe, and older sister Julie. Ryan wrote his first song in third grade, learning to play guitar and piano at a young age. He continued to write throughout his childhood, even making an album in eighth grade that he was selling out of his locker. By the time he was 16 or 17, he remembers having to choose between music and sports and states that “music came the most naturally and made the happiest.” He sent his only college application to Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. During his time at Berklee, Ryan learned music theory, fronted two bands, and continued to write his own material. He also spent the latter half of his college years learning to produce pop, hip hop, and alternative music. During his junior year, Ryan visited a few friends in Los Angeles, and met Damon Bunetta, who later became his manager, at a party. They exchanged numbers, ideas, and kept in contact. At the time, Damon, his brother Julian Bunetta, and their father Peter Bunetta were expanding their company, Family Affair Productions, and were looking to add another producer/artist/writer to the team. After graduating from Berklee in 2010, Ryan moved to Los Angeles to begin his career as an artist and producer.
Career
Ryan had many friends who were working on the American version of The X Factor in 2011. Hit songwriter, Savan Kotecha, was involved in the television program at the time, and worked on One Direction’s first two records. After hearing Kotecha rave about an emerging act discovered on UK’s X Factor and explaining that there was a break inthe market for boy bands, Ryan and Bunetta got onboard. Ryan’s first big cut was "Story of My Life" with One Direction, reaching the Top 10 on the Billboard charts. Ryan is responsible for co-writing and/or producing dozens of hit songs by artists including One Direction, John Legend, David Guetta, Thomas Rhett, Harry Styles, Maroon 5, Niall Horan, Pitbull, Jason Derulo, Charlie Puth, Rudimental, Fifth Harmony, Cody Simpson, Nick Jonas, and Emblem3 among others. In total, he has 27 cuts which have been released on One Direction’s last four albums. Ryan co-wrote and co-produced Top 20 hits "Midnight Memories" and "Steal My Girl." In addition to writing and producing for pop artists, Ryan formed his solo projectJohn the Blind. The moniker references ancient Bohemian king John of Bohemia who fought his wars blind and was carted onto the field of battle on horseback by his men. Ryan was a featured vocalist on Pitbull's "Fireball," and appeared in the popular video. He was also a featured vocalist on DJ Snake's "Sober".
