THE RETURN OF THE VIKINGS !

Newly formed group - JOHNNY SILVO AND THE LIFE OF REILY

The group comprises Johnny Silvo, a longtime resident of Norway, along with Norwegians Arvid Lone and Hans Graasvold.

All are exceptional artistes in their own right, and together the potential is enormous. This was proven by their initial bookings in Denmark and Norway. After their very well received performance at the Skagen Festival, Johnny and Hans were asked to fill in for the absence of a leading artiste (Arvid had already left for home.) At the end of their session the whole of the massive audience rose to their feet and gave them a storming ovation. They heard afterwards that it was considered to be the event of the festival.

The outlook is indeed exceedingly bright.

The Artists

JOHNNY SILVO

Johnny can operate with equal brilliance in the worlds of Jazz, Folk, Blues, Soul and Country, and in the course of his normal act he displays his virtuosity in all these fields. All his songs are blended with hilarious introductions and comments.

All in all, Johnny presents a selection guaranteed to make any audience happy. He has always maintained that his aim in life is to make people happy with music and there is no doubt that he achieves this aim.

Over the years since 1960 Johnny has performed in concerts and Club appearances throughout Britain, and in something approaching 1000 T. V. and Radio programmes.

Amazingly, Johnny seems to get better and better. Wherever he appears on his two or three annual tours of the U.K. he receives ecstatic receptions from audiences in concerts, village halls, festivals and clubs all over the land.

Hans Graasvold

Ever since he got his first paid gig at the age of 12, Hans has been hooked on music.
For the last thirty odd years he's been a full time musician, and there's hardly a road in Norway that hasn't felt Hans's wheels on his way to or from a gig.

His distinct and easy recognisable sound has been heard hundreds of times on national radio and television, and he appears on scores of recordings with different artistes.

He is a very sought after musician, being the superb guitar and banjo player that he is, and it's not very surprising that he, in addition to having been in several bands, has also played with a very wide variety of artistes, among them many of the most outstanding in the country and also including international names like Eric Weisberg, Bill Keith and Tom Paxton.

Arvid Lone

Arvid is the only member in the band who still goes to work every day, as a professor of social work at the University of Stavanger.

But he's been playing instruments ever since he was a child -for many years for his own and his friends' pleasure, but decided to take the "step up" in the mid-eighties when he started working in pubs and clubs in Finnmark, the northernmost county in Norway.

He moved south to Stavanger in 1990, met up with Johnny Silvo in a pub, and they became friends. And what is more natural for musician friends than to play together? Arvid converted from Pub singer to Bass player, and he's been standing on Johnny's right side ever since.
They have played together all over Norway, Denmark, England and Northern Ireland, doing club tours and festivals.

CHOICE OF NAME

Any new band will confront the same question: What shall we call ourselves? And always one will try to find a name that somehow reflects what the band is all about.

The Life of Reily is no exception. The band members have been friends for more than a score of years, all pursuing their individual careers, but frequently crossing paths when they have sat down singing, playing and having a good time.

And it is that feeling of friendship and joy they now want to take to the stage as a band, and to share with their audiences, so the whole hall can feel they are living the life of Reily.