Thomas Herman Ridgley (October 30, 1925 – August 11, 1999)Tony Rounce, Tommy Ridgley 'In The Same Old Way': The Complete Ric, Ron and Sho-Biz recordings, Ace records UK (2015). was an American R&B singer, pianist, songwriter and bandleader in

New Orleans, Louisiana New Orleans (commonly known as NOLA or The Big Easy among other nicknames) is a Consolidated city-county, consolidated city-parish located along the Mississippi River in the U.S. state of Louisiana. With a population of 383,997 at the 2020 ...

.Jeff Hanusch, The Soul Of New Orleans: A Legacy of Rhythm and Blues, Chapter four on Tommy Ridgley: The New Orleans King Of The Stroll, Swallow publications, Ville Platte, Louisiana, USA (2001). In a musical career lasting half a century Ridgley was a stalwart of the New Orleans rhythm and blues scene. Although he never had a national hit, unlike several of his contemporaries, he made numerous, popular recordings that sold mainly in New Orleans and Louisiana beginning in 1949 with a final release in 1995. His voice was variously described as similar to Roy Brown and

Bull Moose Jackson Benjamin Clarence "Bull Moose" Jackson (April 22, 1919 – July 31, 1989) Allmusic biography Accessed January 2008. was an American blues and rhythm-and-blues singer and saxophonist, who was most successful in the late 1940s. He is considered ...

''New Orleans Soul 60s: The Watch Label'', Mardi Gras Records, sleeve notes (2000) and thus able to adapt to a variety of styles:

blues Blues is a music genre and musical form that originated among African Americans in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s. Blues has incorporated spiritual (music), spirituals, work songs, field hollers, Ring shout, shouts, cha ...

jump blues Jump blues is an uptempo style of blues, jazz, and boogie woogie usually played by small groups and featuring horn instruments. It was popular in the 1940s and was a precursor of rhythm and blues and rock and roll. Appreciation of jump blues wa ...

rhythm and blues Rhythm and blues, frequently abbreviated as R&B or R'n'B, is a genre of popular music that originated within African American communities in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predomina ...

and

soul The soul is the purported Mind–body dualism, immaterial aspect or essence of a Outline of life forms, living being. It is typically believed to be Immortality, immortal and to exist apart from the material world. The three main theories that ...

. In the late 1950s, he became bandleader of The Untouchables with whom he held residencies at important night venues often backing visiting artists. His recording career consisted of over forty singles and three albums. Most of his recordings have been anthologised on compilations in vinyl and CDs.

Biography

Early life

Tommy Ridgley was born in the

Shrewsbury Shrewsbury ( , ) is a market town and civil parish in Shropshire (district), Shropshire, England. It is sited on the River Severn, northwest of Wolverhampton, west of Telford, southeast of Wrexham and north of Hereford. At the 2021 United ...

district of

New Orleans New Orleans (commonly known as NOLA or The Big Easy among other nicknames) is a Consolidated city-county, consolidated city-parish located along the Mississippi River in the U.S. state of Louisiana. With a population of 383,997 at the 2020 ...

, the eldest of seventeen brothers and sisters, of which eight survived He had an impoverished upbringing and was a breadwinner for his family before his teens. His social life and that of his family centred on the local church where Ridgley began singing in harmony groups He served with the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare, maritime military branch, service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is the world's most powerful navy with the largest Displacement (ship), displacement, at 4.5 millio ...

during the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

and during his rest-time learnt to play the piano. At demobilization under the terms of the

G.I. Bill The G.I. Bill, formally the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, was a law that provided a range of benefits for some of the returning World War II veterans (commonly referred to as G.I. (military), G.I.s). The original G.I. Bill expired in ...

, that provided World War II veterans with funds for college education Ridgley studied at the Grunewald School of Music. In 1946 he entered a talent contest at the Dew Drop Inn, one of New Orleans premier nightclubs which he won and more significantly gained a profile as an up-coming performer.Jeff Hannusch, King Of The Stroll, Discoveries Magazine. (Sept 1994)

Career

Dave Bartholomew Orchestra

Ridgley started his professional career in the late 40's as a band singer with a New Orleans

Dixieland Dixieland jazz, also referred to as traditional jazz, hot jazz, or simply Dixieland, is a style of jazz based on the music that developed in New Orleans at the start of the 20th century. The 1917 recordings by the Original Dixieland Jass Band ( ...

group and after a brief stint with Earl Anderson's band playing at The Starlight Hotel in Gert Town,The Starlight Hotel and Lounge opened in 1946 and managed by Odile Clark Washington (1909 - 2020) was a major venue for black musicians during the 50's through to the 80s. he was recruited by trumpeter and band leader

Dave Bartholomew David Louis Bartholomew (December 24, 1918 – June 23, 2019) was an American musician, bandleader, composer, arrangement, arranger, and record producer. He was prominent in the music of New Orleans throughout the second half of the 20th century ...

. Ridgley, released his debut single, ''Shrewsbury Blues'' c/w ''Early Dawn Boogie'' in New Orleans in 1949.The success of Shrewsbury Blues led to Ridgley being billed as the 'Shrewsbury Kid' for a number of releases on Park and Imperial. Produced by Bartholomew and released on the new imprint

Imperial Records Imperial Records is an American record company and label started in 1947 by Lew Chudd. The label was reactivated in 2006 by EMI, which owned the label and back catalogue at the time. Imperial is owned by Universal Music Group. Early years to ...

the record established Ridgley within New Orleans as a progenitor of

and blues ballads. A competent songwriter Ridgley wrote both sides of the follow-up ''I Live My Life'' c/w ''Lavinia''. In 1952 Lew Chudd, owner of Imperial records selected Ridgley and Bartholomew to cover a song called ''Looped''. It was another New Orleans hit and thereafter a staple of Tommy Ridgley's repertoire. A Dave Bartholomew Orchestra single with Ridgley on lead ''Tra La La'' issued on

Decca Decca may refer to: Music * Decca Records or Decca Music Group, record label * Decca Gold, classical music record label owned by Universal Music Group * Decca Broadway, musical theater record label * Decca Studios, recording facility in West ...

was later covered by

Pat Boone Patrick Charles Eugene Boone (born June 1, 1934) is an American singer, songwriter, actor, author, television personality, radio host and philanthropist. He sold nearly 50 million records, had 38 Top 40 hits, and has acted in many films. Boone ...

. Ridgley's singing style in his early career has been compared to that of Roy Brown whilst his reputation as a major New Orleans artist was enhanced by Dave Bartholomew's band that featured outstanding musicians: drummer

Earl Palmer Earl Cyril Palmer (October 25, 1924 – September 19, 2008) was an American drummer. Considered one of the inventors of rock and roll, he is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Palmer was one of the most prolific studio musicians of al ...

and saxophonists Lee Allen, Herb Hardesty, Red Tyler and Ernest Allen Jeff Hannusch, "Obituary: Ernest McLean", ''Offbeat.com''
Retrieved 28 August 2015 In 1953 Ridgley left Bartholomew's band and signed a contract with Atlantic records. He cut ''I'm Gonna Cross That River'' c/w ''Ooh Lawdy My Baby'', a record that featured

Ray Charles Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential musicians in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Gen ...

on piano as a member of Edgar Blanchard's Gondoliers and ''Jam Up'' (1954), a sax-led instrumental dance record that narrowly missed the national charts when re-released as ''Jam Up Twist'' in 1962. A regular presence by 1957 on the thriving R&B scene in New Orleans, he was offered a recording contract with

Herald Records Herald Records was an American record label of the 1950s and 1960s. Herald was founded in Elizabeth, New Jersey in 1952 by Fred Mendelsohn. He teamed up with Al Silver and Silver's brother-in-law, who continued Herald Records after Mendelsohn lef ...

, by which time Ridgley had formed his own band The Untouchables. Herald released six singles by The Untouchables of which the first release ''When I Meet My Girl'' was the most successful. As a marketing ploy Herald used the nickname ''The New King of The Stroll'' following the death of the original 'king'

Chuck Willis Harold "Chuck" Willis (January 31, 1926 – April 10, 1958) was an American blues, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll singer and songwriter. His biggest hits, " C. C. Rider" (1957) and " What Am I Living For" (1958), both reached No.1 on the '' ...

in 1958. By the end of 1950s, Tommy Ridgley and The Untouchables were the resident band at the iconic Dew Drop Inn where they opened for and sometimes backed visiting acts. These included a number of major R&B artists of the late 50's and early 60's:

James Brown James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, musician, and record producer. The central progenitor of funk music and a major figure of 20th-century music, he is referred to by Honorific nick ...

Clyde McPhatter Clyde Lensley McPhatter (November 15, 1932 – June 13, 1972) was an American rhythm and blues, soul, and rock and roll singer. He was one of the most widely imitated R&B singers of the 1950s and early 1960sPalmer, Robert (1981)"Roy Brown, a Pio ...

Sam Cooke Samuel Cooke (; January 22, 1931 – December 11, 1964) was an American singer and songwriter. Considered one of the most influential soul music, soul artists of all time, Cooke is commonly referred to as the "King of Soul" for his distin ...

Little Willie John William Edward "Little Willie" John (November 15, 1937 – May 26, 1968) was an American R&B singer who performed in the 1950s and early 1960s. He is best known for his successes on the record charts, with songs such as " All Around the World" ...

and

Ivory Joe Hunter Ivory Joe Hunter (October 10, 1914 – November 8, 1974) was an American rhythm-and-blues singer, songwriter, and pianist. After a series of hits on the US R&B chart starting in the mid-1940s, he became more widely known for his hit recordi ...

. Ridgley also employed a young

Irma Thomas Irma Thomas ( Lee; born February 18, 1941) is an American singer from New Orleans. She is known as the "Soul Queen of New Orleans". Thomas is a contemporary of Aretha Franklin and Etta James, but never experienced their level of commercial succ ...

as one of his girl singers, later recommending her to

Ric Records Ric Records, along with sister label Ron Records, were American record labels formed by Joe Ruffino in 1959. Although most of Ric's releases did not rise above regional hits, the label was active during the golden era of New Orleans R&B and was an ...

where she recorded for the subsidiary Ron label.

Joe Ruffino's Ric records

In 1960, Ridgley also signed with Joe Ruffino's New Orleans

, and released seven singles, at six monthly intervals. His third release, a recording of

Wynona Carr Wynona Merceris Carr (August 23, 1923 – May 11, 1976) was an American gospel, R&B and rock and roll singer-songwriter, who recorded as Sister Wynona Carr when performing gospel material. Biography Carr was born in Cleveland, Ohio, where she ...

's ''Should I Ever Love Again'' c/w ''Double-Eyed Whammy'' was a strong seller in spring 1961, the latter covered by Freddy King in 1966 His fifth release on Ric ''In The Same Old Way'' proved one of the most successful records of his career and he later cut it again on the Shreveport based label Ronn label. Joe Ruffino's death in 1962 left the label in limbo and Ridgley's final two Ric 45s, both of which featured Dr.John on production duties, were released with little in the way of promotion and consequently were not successful. However, ''Heavenly'' c/w ''Honest I Do'' and ''I’ve Heard That Story Before'', the latter covered by his brother Sammy Ridgley demonstrated that Ridgley could adapt his voice to the new soul music style that was evolving A one-record deal with the tiny Cinderella label saw ''No One But You'' released in the winter of 1963. In February 1964 Cash Box reviewed favourably ''All My Love Belongs To You'' c/w ''I Want Some Money,'' on the Johen label, a R&B dance record from the pen of

Eddie Bo Edwin Joseph Bocage (September 20, 1930 – March 18, 2009), known as Eddie Bo, was an American singer and pianist from New Orleans. Schooled in jazz, he was known for his blues, soul and funk recordings, compositions, productions and arrang ...

. As the decade progressed Tommy Ridgley continued to gig regularly in New Orleans and Louisiana releasing further one-off soul 45s on small labels: Blue Jay, White Cliffs and Ronn. Ridgley also cut a number of tracks at a studio in

Clinton, Mississippi Clinton is a List of cities in Mississippi, city in Hinds County, Mississippi, United States. Situated in the Jackson, Mississippi metropolitan area, Jackson metropolitan area, it is the List of municipalities in Mississippi, 10th most populous c ...

for Bob Robin's International City imprint including ''My Love is Getting Stronger'', a song that became highly popular on the UK

Northern Soul Northern soul is a music and dance movement that emerged in Northern England and the Midlands in the early 1970s. It developed from the British Mod (subculture), mod scene, based on a particular style of African American music, Black American ...

scene in the 1970s and 80s. During the 1970s and 1980s, there were fewer recording opportunities for Ridgley, however, he intermittently continued to record for a plethora of local New Orleans and Louisiana record labels.These included ''Sometimes You Get It ''for Allen Toussaint's Sansu label in 1976 and a remake of Ridgley's own ''I Can't Make It Any Longer'' on Hep' Me Records, a label owned by Senator Jones. Throughout this period Ridgley continued to perform around New Orleans whilst accepting occasional European dates.The Untouchables maintained their residency at the Dew Drop Inn until it closed in 1972 and Ridgley kept performing at the

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (commonly called Jazz Fest or Jazzfest) is an annual celebration of local music and culture held at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana. Jazz Fest attracts thousands of vi ...

every year from 1972 until his death in 1999, a continuous appearance of twenty eight years.

Modern Blues LP

In 1992 and nearly 50 years into his music career Ridgley released his first album of new recordings.In the 1980s there were a number of cassette only recordings of new material on the Du Bat label and The Sound of New Orleans label. Appearing on Modern Blues Recordings and titled ''She Turns Me On'' it was a varied mix of Jump blues, New Orleans funk and sweet, soulful ballads. It included re-cuts of a number of Ridgley favourites including, ''I Want Some Money'' and ''Jam Up''. The Sound of New Orleans label also released an album ''How Long''? during 1992, although the recordings originated from around the turn of the decade. A final album ''Since The Blues Began'' on

Black Top Records Black Top Records was an American, New Orleans, Louisiana-based independent record label, founded in 1981 by brothers Nauman S. Scott, III and Hammond Scott. The label specialized in blues and R&B music. The first release was "Talk To You By Hand" ...

appeared in 1995. In recognition of his long career in New Orleans he was supported by established musicians that included George Porter Jr., Raymond Weber and guest guitarist

Snooks Eaglin Fird Eaglin Jr. (January 21, 1936 or 1937 – February 18, 2009), known as Snooks Eaglin, was an American guitarist and singer based in New Orleans. In his early years he was sometimes credited under other names, including Blind Snooks Eaglin, ...

all of whom turned out on his last recorded album.Ridgley's recordings for Herald and Ric have been frequently anthologised as have his releases as a lead singer with the Dave Bartholomew Orchestra In January 1999, Ridgley received '' OffBeat'' magazine's annual Lifetime Achievement Award Ridgley who suffered from

kidney failure Kidney failure, also known as renal failure or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), is a medical condition in which the kidneys can no longer adequately filter waste products from the blood, functioning at less than 15% of normal levels. Kidney fa ...

in his last few years, died from

lung cancer Lung cancer, also known as lung carcinoma, is a malignant tumor that begins in the lung. Lung cancer is caused by genetic damage to the DNA of cells in the airways, often caused by cigarette smoking or inhaling damaging chemicals. Damaged ...

, caused by asbestos inhalation, whilst working as a construction worker, in August 1999.Associated Press, Obituaries in the News, August 13, 1999.

Discography

Singles

* Shrewsbury Blues / Early Dawn Boogie (Imperial 5054, 1/50) * Boogie Woogie Mama / Lonely Man Blues (Imperial 5074, 5/50) * Lavinia / I Live My Life (Imperial 5198, 7/52) * Looped / Junie Mae (Imperial 5203, 9/52) * Monkey Man / Nobody Cares (Imperial 5214, 12/52) * Good Times / A Day Is Coming (Imperial 5223, 2/53) * Ooh Lawdy My Baby / I'm Gonna Cross That River (Atlantic 1009, 10/53) * Jam Up nstrumental/ Wish I Had Never (Atlantic 1039, 9/54) * When I Meet My Girl / What'cha Gonna Do (Herald 501, 6/57) * Baby Do Liddle / Just A Memory (Herald 508, 11/57) * Woncha Gone / Come Back Baby (Herald 513, 2/58) * Mairzy Doats And Dozy Doats / I've Heard That Story Before (Herald 526, 8/58) * I'll Be True / The Girl Across The Street (Herald 537, 2/59) * Tina / How I Feel (Herald 540, 9/59) * Is It True / Let's Try And Talk It Over (Ric 968, 4/60) * Please Hurry Home / Do You Remember (Ric 973, 8/60) * Should I Ever Love Again / Double-Eye Whammy (Ric 978, 3/61) * Three Times / The Only Girl For Me (Ric 982, 7/61) * In The Same Old Way / The Girl From Kooka Monga (Ric 984, 11/61) * Jam Up Twist / Wish I Had Never (Atlantic 2136, 2/62) re-release * My Ordinary Girl / She's Got What It Takes (Ric 990, 7/62) * Heavenly / I Love You Yes I Do (Ric 993, ?/63) * I've Heard That Story Before / Honest I Do (Ric 994, ?/63) * No One But You / The Goose (Cinderella 1204, 11/63) * I Want Some Money Baby / All My Love Belongs To You (Johen 9200, 2/64) * Call On My Baby / Pretty Little Mama (Blue Jay 158, ?/65) * Did You Tell Him / Hey Little Chick (White Cliffs 260, 5/67) * My Love Gets Stronger / Fly In My Pie (International City 7102, 5/68) * I'm Asking Forgiveness / There Is Something On Your Mind (River City 728, ?/69) * In The Same Old Way / I'm Not The Same Person (Ronn 36, 9/69) * Spreading Love / Live (Ridge-Way R-0005, ?/70)

LPs

* 1992 ''How Long?'' (Sound of New Orleans) * 1992 ''She Turns Me On'' (Modern Blues Recordings) * 1995 ''Since The Blues Began'' (Black Top)

Compilations

* 1977 ''Through The Years'' (Sound of New Orleans) (USA) * 1986 ''Tommy Ridgley: The early 50's in New Orleans'' ( Pathé Marconi) (France) * 1988 ''The New Orleans King of the Stroll'' ( Rounder) (USA) * 1992 ''The Herald Recordings'' (Collectables) (USA) * 2005 ''Tommy Ridgley 1949-1954'' (Classics) (France) * 2015 ''In the Same Old Way: The Complete Ric, Ron and Sho-Biz Recordings'' (CD shared with Bobby Mitchell) (Ace) (UK) * 20?? ''Mardi Gras Jam: Tommy Ridgley & His Orchestra'' (Blue City) (USA)

Notes

References

External links

Tommy Ridgley official website
* Biography on Allmusicbr>Biography by Marv Goldberg
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ridgley, Tommy 1925 births 1999 deaths American rhythm and blues musicians African-American pianists American soul musicians Rhythm and blues musicians from New Orleans Atlantic Records artists Imperial Records artists Singers from Louisiana African-American male singers American male singers African-American songwriters Deaths from lung cancer in the United States 20th-century African-American male singers 20th-century American male singers 20th-century American singers 20th-century American pianists