HAPPY THE MAN PERFORMS “FOURTH OF JULY: AN AMERICAN SUITE” BY RON RIDDLE

New single releases today, June 29, 2026

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUb1g8uPZTE

A long-dormant cinematic work born during the golden era of large-scale television documentary production has been re-imagined for America’s 250th anniversary.

Progressive rock pioneers Happy the Man have been recording and developing Fourth of July: An American Suite, a large-scale musical work composed by Ron Riddle — originally created in the 2000s during Riddle’s years scoring television for Discovery Channel and TLC.

The music traces its origins to the landmark Houston fireworks spectacular featured in the television series Detonators, where Riddle served as composer for the series. At the time, the Houston event was widely recognized as one of the largest fireworks productions in America, combining massive pyrotechnic displays with live-event drama on an enormous scale.

Written to accompany both the spectacle and the emotional tension behind the production itself, the music moved fluidly between progressive rock, orchestral passages, cinematic Americana, and rhythmically driven soundtrack composition.

Several of the progressive sections were originally conceived with the musical language and adventurous spirit of Happy the Man in mind — making the current collaboration feel less like a reunion and more like the completion of a decades-long musical arc.

“This project feels strangely inevitable,” says Riddle. “The original piece already carried the DNA of Happy the Man inside it. What’s exciting now is hearing those ideas finally realized by the musicians who inspired that side of the writing in the first place.” The recording features a nucleus of original Happy the Man members who have continued collaborating musically in recent years, including bassist Rick Kennell, and guitarist Stanley Whitaker. Mixed and mastered by Rick Kennell in his innermost studios, the tracks were all recorded in their own studios.

There are two versions of the single: the Full version which will include a tension building orchestral prelude and the Fireworks version.  Rather than revisiting past material, Fourth of July: An American Suite aims to push forward — combining the compositional ambition of classic progressive rock with cinematic storytelling, modern production, and a distinctly American emotional landscape.

Fourth of July: An American Suite releases today, Monday June 29, 2026 and is being developed in conjunction with Invasion Merch as part of the celebration with America’s 250th anniversary. It is available on all your favorite download and streaming music outlets.

To stream or purchase: https://ffm.to/happytheman-fourthofjuly

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUb1g8uPZTE

For more information: http://www.happytheman.com/

Press inquiries: Keith James, Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

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Prog Legends Happy The Man Return With New Single “Only Love” From Forthcoming Album

New single available January 15, 2024!

Prog legends Happy The Man have returned with the release of a new single, “Only Love,” on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 15, 2024. The song is from the band’s highly anticipated forthcoming album of the same name.

Stanley Whitaker, Ron Riddle, Michael Beck, and Rick Kennell have reunited and recorded a phenomenal new song promising to please fans of the band and prog fans worldwide.

Says Stanley Whitaker, “The basic concept was to not only express my frustration and sadness in the world while shedding light and awareness. In late August 2020, while in a deep meditative state, I wondered what John Lennon would say about the state of affairs in America. I craved his voice and message and prayed for inspiration. In a blast of energy, I wrote over ten pages of lyrics and spent the next two weeks editing and laying down musical ideas. Recently, our former bandmate, Frank Wyatt, passed away on January 10, 2023, and the following morning, I awoke to, ‘Now it’s time to put HTM back together.’ Gobsmacked! I called Rick, Ron, and Michael, and everyone was on board to reunite as Happy the Man. All of the music was developed remotely from our studios across the country.”

Says Ron Riddle, “My work as a film and TV composer/orchestrator and my work as a drummer has always been at odds and very separate from each other. I would say that over 95 percent of the music I’ve written had no drums at all! Stanley and Rick approached me to get the band back together, and Stanley asked me to do the orchestration and drumming. I was smitten, thrilled, and, honestly, a bit nervous. ‘Could both exist in the same song?’ I wondered. It’s like Dr. Jeckel meeting Mr. Hyde!”

Michael Beck says, “Putting Happy The Man back together and creating new music is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I could not be happier and prouder to work with these incredible musicians and friends again.”

Says Rick Kennell, “How can you not enjoy working with musicians of this caliber? What fun!”

Born out of the intensely creative and artistic art rock and fusion movements of the 70s, Happy The Man is regarded as one of the most legendary progressive rock bands of all time. Although Happy The Man only released two official albums before breaking up, their impact continues to endear the group to a cult following that has been growing ever since. With the passing of many years, Happy The Man’s music has demonstrated a timeless quality that suggests that it was ahead of its time and beyond this world.

Original members Stanley Whitaker (guitar) and Rick Kennell (bass guitar) first met in Germany. They soon returned to the US, enlisting Frank Wyatt (keyboards, saxes, flute), Kit Watkins (keyboards), and Mike Beck (drums and percussion). They created two of the most deeply admired prog-rock albums of all time on Arista Records: “Happy The Man” (1977) and “Crafty Hands” (1978), with Ron Riddle taking over drumming from Mike Beck.

“This world is on fire, my friends and we desperately need to share our love and light to heal this planet earth!”

To purchase: https://ffm.to/happytheman-onlylove
Only Love (Original Version or OV)
Only Love (Radio Edit or RE)

For more information: http://www.happytheman.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

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Frank Wyatt & Friends Featuring Members of Happy The Man, Oblivion Sun & Pedal Giant Animals To Release Project Album 'Zeitgeist'

Zeitgeist is a collaborative music endeavor led by Happy The Man legend Frank Wyatt featuring members of the progressive rock bands Happy The Man, Oblivion Sun, and the Pedal Giant Animals Project. Zeitgeist started out as an idea for a Happy The Man reunion CD, but evolved to include other musicians Frank has performed with during his career. The music has been produced in the studios of the respective artists and at Frank's Crafty Hands Studio. This unique gathering of such great musicians has delivered a beautiful and exciting musical experience.

The Artists:
Frank Wyatt: Compositions, Keyboards, Engineering, Project Management
Stan Whitaker: Guitars and Vocals
Kit Watkins: Keyboards
Rick Kennell: Bass Guitar
Mike Beck: Percussion
Cliff Fortney: Vocals
Ron Riddle: Drums
David Rosenthal: Keyboards
Joe Bergamini: Drums
Bill Brasso: Drums
David Hughes: Bass Guitar
Chris Mack: Drums
Peter Princiotto: Orchestration, Sitar
Andrew Colyer: Keyboards
Michael Phipps: Artwork

“The album's concept turned into a sort of  'goodbye, or one last swing at it'  as I had been diagnosed with the big 'C' and told I was short on time. I had no idea  the project would take so long! I'm five years out of warranty now and still kicking. Perhaps the project has been what's kept me going; I've been too stubborn to give up on completing it. I plan more work already... music is great medicine. Recording the music was a great joy but very difficult to coordinate as everyone performing lives in another state. I was constantly having to put things on hold as one treatment or another made me too sick to function, but the result, I believe, has validated the struggle. The guys all delivered amazing performances. The project musicians are all friends I have played with over the span of my career. They all generously donated their time and talent for the project, and I am so thankful for them.” ~ Frank Wyatt

Track listing
1. Zeitgeist
2. Leaving
3. Twelve Jumps
4. Eleventh Hour
5. The Approach
6. Fred's Song
7. To Venus (Perelandra Mvt. I, Andante)
8. The Green Lady (Perelandra Mvt. II, Allegretto con moto)
9. The Golden Feast (Perelandra Mvt.III, Allegro)
10. Blessed Be He (Perelandra Mvt. IV, Presto)

In closing Frank has this message to impart, “Don't surrender to the daily fog and fear.  We are all moving forward on our journey and I am going to keep writing and recording music as long as I am able. It is my voice.”

To purchase: https://frankwyattmusic.com/the-zeitgeist-music

For more information: 
https://frankwyattmusic.com/about-zeitgeist
https://www.facebook.com/FrankWyattMusic

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

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Frank Wyatt & Friends Featuring Members of Happy The Man, Oblivion Sun & Pedal Giant Animals To Release Project Album 'Zeitgeist'

Zeitgeist is a collaborative music endeavor led by Happy The Man legend Frank Wyatt featuring members of the progressive rock bands Happy The Man, Oblivion Sun, and the Pedal Giant Animals Project. Zeitgeist started out as an idea for a Happy The Man reunion CD, but evolved to include other musicians Frank has performed with during his career. The music has been produced in the studios of the respective artists and at Frank's Crafty Hands Studio. This unique gathering of such great musicians has delivered a beautiful and exciting musical experience.

The Artists:
Frank Wyatt: Compositions, Keyboards, Engineering, Project Management
Stan Whitaker: Guitars and Vocals
Kit Watkins: Keyboards
Rick Kennell: Bass Guitar
Mike Beck: Percussion
Cliff Fortney: Vocals
Ron Riddle: Drums
David Rosenthal: Keyboards
Joe Bergamini: Drums
Bill Brasso: Drums
David Hughes: Bass Guitar
Chris Mack: Drums
Peter Princiotto: Orchestration, Sitar
Andrew Colyer: Keyboards
Michael Phipps: Artwork

“The album's concept turned into a sort of  'goodbye, or one last swing at it'  as I had been diagnosed with the big 'C' and told I was short on time. I had no idea  the project would take so long! I'm five years out of warranty now and still kicking. Perhaps the project has been what's kept me going; I've been too stubborn to give up on completing it. I plan more work already... music is great medicine. Recording the music was a great joy but very difficult to coordinate as everyone performing lives in another state. I was constantly having to put things on hold as one treatment or another made me too sick to function, but the result, I believe, has validated the struggle. The guys all delivered amazing performances. The project musicians are all friends I have played with over the span of my career. They all generously donated their time and talent for the project, and I am so thankful for them.” ~ Frank Wyatt

Track listing
1. Zeitgeist
2. Leaving
3. Twelve Jumps
4. Eleventh Hour
5. The Approach
6. Fred's Song
7. To Venus (Perelandra Mvt. I, Andante)
8. The Green Lady (Perelandra Mvt. II, Allegretto con moto)
9. The Golden Feast (Perelandra Mvt.III, Allegro)
10. Blessed Be He (Perelandra Mvt. IV, Presto)

In closing Frank has this message to impart, “Don't surrender to the daily fog and fear.  We are all moving forward on our journey and I am going to keep writing and recording music as long as I am able. It is my voice.”

To purchase: https://frankwyattmusic.com/the-zeitgeist-music

For more information: 
https://frankwyattmusic.com/about-zeitgeist
https://www.facebook.com/FrankWyattMusic

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

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