About Sonny

Sonny Rice - The Piano Man - 1935-2007

SONNY was born in Dublin in October 1935. He started his musical career at the tender age of 6 in a talent competition. Having come from a family of musicians it was inevitable that he would follow tradition and become a professional musician. Even as a boy he formed a trio with his mother, a violinist, and brother, an accordionist, with SONNY on piano. Known as the "Rice Trio" they toured Ireland and the UK making a name for themselves in the many variety theatres of the time.

In his teenage years he travelled to Canada and the USA with the family and became a regular feature in the Irish club scene. During this time he started doing some session work and found himself playing for some major stars such as Tony Bennett. He returned to the UK in the sixties and for the next decade played with various dance bands and backed a variety of singers.

Deciding to pursue other interests SONNY gave up playing professionally for almost ten years, but music was in his blood and he returned to playing his piano in the clubs and pubs around the north. He took up his session work again and after playing for Julio Iglasias in Madrid, settled in Spain, and there he remained, playing pianos along the Costa Del Sol until the late eighties.

Returning to the UK he chose to settle in Blackpool, and in the nineties started his fund raising performances in the town. Initially he raised much needed money for local charities like Trinity Hospice in the Fylde, then for the larger national charities, British Diabetic Association, and the NSPCC and the Anthony Nolan Trust. So many people asked for recordings of his music that he started to produce tapes and CDs for sale to the public, and in 1998, due to demand from other town centres and shopping precincts around the UK, he went on tour.

There are now seven different recordings available plus a special Xmas double album - all on tape or CD. All of which can be purchased through this web sit. His music has now been recognised as ideal for use in the fitness industry and is now recommended by EXTEND the charity which helps to train health professionals to give classes in movement and exercise to the over sixties and less able bodied people. You can visit their web site at www.extend.org.uk

Sadly Sonny passed away unexpectedly on the 2nd July 2007 after a short illness aged 71. His wife Julia continues to promote his music and she will continue to sell his cassettes and CD's until stocks run out. Please click on the order form link above to print off an order form and send a cheque through the post, or alternatively click on the Buy It Now buttons on each Album page and pay by Paypal or any major Credit Card.