You've heard Ricky Byrd's iconic guitar intro to the Joan Jett and the Blackhearts hit "I Love Rock 'N' Roll" a million times. You've also heard his work with artists like Ian Hunter, Roger Daltrey and Southside Johnny. And you've probably heard his songs as cut by other artists, too.
But you've never heard Byrd like this before. After a long career he's recently released his first-ever solo album, the appropriately-titled Lifer, on which he not only played guitar, he wrote and sang the songs, too.
The result is a pure slice of good-time rock and roll, shot through with blues and R&B that harkens back to Byrd's own childhood idols.
Byrd joins us on Long Live Rock to discuss his new album -- and the state of rock and roll in general.