Mitch Ryder - Songs from the Road Tour 26

For over five decades, Detroit's Mitch Ryder has created a discography of more than 30 albums, ranging from the wild primal force of his early hits like "Devil with a Blue Dress On" to recent works such as the 2024 live album The Roof Is On Fire and the Don Was-produced studio album With Love. The latter, recorded in Detroit, is considered by Ryder himself to be one of his best works – a testament to his ability to reinvent himself without betraying his roots. Don Was, known for his work with Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, and Iggy Pop, produced an album that combines Ryder's unmistakable intensity with timeless elegance.

Ryder's influence on the music landscape is hard to overestimate. Inspired by James Brown and the Motown sound, he created a style with his band Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels that fused the raw power of Motor City with the soul of the blues. His collaborations read like a pantheon of rock history: alongside Don Was, he worked with John Mellencamp, who produced his album Never Kick a Sleeping Dog (1983), and influenced artists like The Clash, whose raw punk ethos reflects Ryder's energy. Keith Richards called him one of the "most exciting singers" the music scene has ever seen – a judgment underscored by Ryder's performance at Rockpalast in 1979. This legendary moment, celebrated in a 2017 WDR documentary as one of the best in the history of the format, made Germany a second home for Ryder. "That night was a chance you might only get once in a lifetime," he reflected.

Europe became a space of artistic freedom for Ryder. While his American fans often seek the nostalgia of his Sixties hits, the European audience allows him to push boundaries. Albums like The Detroit-Memphis Experiment (1969) or Never Kick a Sleeping Dog showcase his versatility, while his induction into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame cements his status as a pioneer. Ryder's legacy lies not only in his hits but in his ability to connect the raw emotion of rock 'n' roll with a timeless urgency.

The "Songs from the Road" tour in 2026 will capture this essence: an artist who steps onto the stage with the same intensity as 50 years ago, accompanied by a band that carries his vision. From classics to new works – Ryder remains a rebel who speaks the language of rock 'n' roll like few others.