While still being backed by the Primitives, Mal Ryder later moved to the forefront and began changing his sound.  Though I haven’t seen this mentioned anywhere else, evidently he was using only his first name “Mal” during this period, according to Italian Wikipedia.  Under this name, he had a million-selling record (a remarkable achievement in Italy) with his Italian version of the Bee Gees song “I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You” (released as “Pensiero d’Amore”).  Mal Ryder also starred in four Italian movies and had a recording career spanning 37 years, including tours throughout Europe and also in America. 

(May 2015)