Tommy Ridgley

Thomas Herman Ridgley (October 30, 1925 – August 11, 1999) was an American R&B singer, pianist, songwriter and bandleader in New Orleans, Louisiana. In a musical career lasting half a century Ridgley was a stalwart of the New Orleans rhythm and blues scene. and thus able to adapt to a variety of styles: blues, jump blues, rhythm and blues and soul.

Biography Early life Tommy Ridgley was born in the Shrewsbury district of New Orleans, the eldest of seventeen brothers and sisters, of which eight survived At demobilization under the terms of the G.I. Bill, that provided World War II veterans with funds for college education Ridgley studied at the Grunewald School of Music. which he won and more significantly gained a profile as an up-coming performer.

Career Dave Bartholomew Orchestra Ridgley started his professional career in the late 40's as a band singer with a New Orleans Dixieland group and after a brief stint with Earl Anderson's band playing at The Starlight Hotel in Gert Town, he was recruited by trumpeter and band leader Dave Bartholomew. Produced by Bartholomew and released on the new imprint Imperial Records the record established Ridgley within New Orleans as a progenitor of jump blues and blues ballads. As a marketing ploy Herald used the nickname The New King of The Stroll following the death of the original 'king' Chuck Willis in 1958.

Joe Ruffino's Ric records In 1960, Ridgley also signed with Joe Ruffino's New Orleans Ric Records, and released seven singles, at six monthly intervals. 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 Ridgley also cut a number of tracks at a studio in Clinton, Mississippi for Bob Robin's International City imprint including My Love is Getting Stronger, a song that became highly popular on the UK Northern Soul 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. 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 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 all of whom turned out on his last recorded album.

In January 1999, Ridgley received OffBeat magazine's annual Lifetime Achievement Award Ridgley who suffered from kidney failure in his last few years, died from lung cancer, caused by asbestos inhalation, whilst working as a construction worker, in August 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 [instrumental] / 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)