Eric Troyer

Eric Troyer is one of ELO PART II’s founding members. He met Bev Bevan in April 1989 when he was invited to join the project as a writer, singer and keyboard player. Eric’s immediate influence on the band’s sound can be heard on their 1991 album, upon which he sang lead and harmony vocals and was responsible for writing several tracks, including the single Honest Men. His contribution to the album, One Night – Live In Australia, is also of great significance as a performer, solo writer, and on collaborations with fellow band members. Eric, a native of Elkhart, Indiana, was born on April 10th 1949. He enjoyed a childhood rich in musical variety, embracing folk, classical and religious music, Broadway shows, and rock’n’roll, developing a particular love of British groups of the 60’s. Following his college days in Indiana and California, Eric travelled east to New York City, where he gravitated towards the music business and eventually earned a reputation as one of the most sought-after session musicians around. A friendship with leading producer Jim Steinman led to prodigious amounts of work, not only on Steinman’s own recordings, but also on many of the world’s biggest selling singles and albums. Eric’s talents are illustrated on records by John Lennon, Bonnie Tyler, James Taylor, Carly Simon, Julian Lennon, The Sisters of Mercy, Billy Joel and Celine Dion. The first voice heard on Joel’s no.1 single Uptown Girl, is none other than Eric! Meat Loaf has featured Eric on albums including the chart topper Bat out of Hell II — Back Into Hell, while also using his vocal skills on tour. In the mid 70s, Eric had a single released in the US and Australia called Mirage, which obtained substantial radio play and was a minor hit in both countries. An interest in history and current affairs shines through on Eric’s solo CD Model Citizen, where his intelligent lyrics are deep and incisive but also reveal a man with a sharp sense of humour. He has also produced CDs for many up and coming New York bands, some of which are featured on a promotional sampler called American Independence. Eric’s concern for his fellow man was clearly illustrated by his songwriting involvement in Perpetual Light, a single released in memory of 12 schoolchildren tragically killed in a UK road accident. He is currently working alongside David Shapiro in Shapiro/Troyer Music, based in New York, and specialising in jingles, stock music and theme music for TV, films and radio worldwide.