Mitch Ryder, born William Sherille Levise Jr. on February 26, 1945, in Hamtramck, Michigan, is an American rock singer known for his energetic vocal style and blend of rock and soul. Rising to fame in the mid-1960s with his band Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels, he scored major hits like “Devil with a Blue Dress On”, “Jenny Take a Ride!” and “Sock It to Me, Baby!”. Managed by producer Bob Crewe, Ryder developed a reputation for high-octane performances and was later supported by a large horn band for live shows as The Mitch Ryder Show. He famously performed with Otis Redding the night before Redding’s fatal plane crash in 1967. After the 1960s, Mitch Ryder's mainstream success faded, though he remained active, forming the band Detroit in 1971 and continuing to release music well into the 2000s. His 1983 comeback album Never Kick a Sleeping Dog, produced by John Mellencamp, featured a minor hit with a Prince cover. Ryder has influenced artists like Bruce Springsteen and Bob Seger, and in later years, collaborated with the German band Engerling. He was inducted into both the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends and Rhythm & Blues Halls of Fame. His recent releases include Georgia Drift (2023) and The Roof Is On Fire (2024).
