(July 5, 2018) A little over a decade ago, I wrote for the first time about the talented singer with the audacious name. Native New Yorker Tony "ShowTime" Riley became the lead singer of The Persuaders, and showed that he had the chops to take over a stage with his expressive lead vocals. ShowTime found his way to audiences in several groups over the years, and had an enviable career that lasted over forty years. We’re sad to report today that Tony ShowTime Riley has died.
Tony Riley was a staple in the R&B world, both as a solo artist and as a member of various groups. But it was during his time with the Persuaders that he traveled the world, working in multi-artist shows with a who’s who of soul music, such as Blue Magic, Ray Goodman & Brown, The Manhattans, The Stylistics and many more.
(July 5, 2018) A little over a decade ago, I wrote for the first time about the talented singer with the audacious name. Native New Yorker Tony "ShowTime" Riley became the lead singer of The Persuaders, and showed that he had the chops to take over a stage with his expressive lead vocals. ShowTime found his way to audiences in several groups over the years, and had an enviable career that lasted over forty years. We’re sad to report today that Tony ShowTime Riley has died.
Tony Riley was a staple in the R&B world, both as a solo artist and as a member of various groups. But it was during his time with the Persuaders that he traveled the world, working in multi-artist shows with a who’s who of soul music, such as Blue Magic, Ray Goodman & Brown, The Manhattans, The Stylistics and many more.
Tony took over the lead vocals on Made To Be Loved, the 2006 comeback album for The Persuaders, and won over a new generation of fans for his work. He also subsequently led the group The R&B Revue with some of his musical friends, regularly touring the East Coast. He continued to perform well into 2018.
Earlier this year, Riley had released a Greatest Hits album that included some of his personal favorite recordings.
Tony “Showtime” Riley was a man who brought a classic soul sound to everything he did, and he will be greatly missed.
By Chris Rizik