Stanley Kirkby

Stanley Kirkby (born James Baker; 1878 – 30 October 1949) was an English baritone singer and variety artist of the early 20th century. He sang ballads and popular songs of the Edwardian era, the First World War and the inter-War period. He sang mostly in music halls and variety theatres and was a popular recording artist.

Born and brought up in Manchester, Kirkby worked in a warehouse from the age of 12; he went on to win first prize in a baritone singing competition at the age of 22. His career moved to London where he formed a number of collaborations on stage with other variety artists; these became well known for their smartly-dressed and musically excellent performances. In 1915 he teamed up with Harry Hudson to form the popular duo "Kirkby and Hudson". They entertained audiences with their eclectic mix of songs and humour well into the 1920s. Kirkby became especially well known for his concert party performances at The Oval, Margate in Kent.

Kirkby was a prolific recording artist and has been credited with making the largest number of records in Britain from the 1900s to the 1930s. Although he was among the first to record roles in Gilbert and Sullivan operas, much of his recorded output was popular songs, the subject matter of which ranged from the topical to the comic. He was one of the highest paid recording artists of his time.

In the mid-1920s he was a joint theatrical producer of a burlesque revue. In the 1930s he broadcast on BBC Radio variety shows. He was a founder member of an early British record company which produced Clarion cylinders.

Birth and Death Data: Born 1878, Died October 30, 1949

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1910 - 1920

Roles Represented in DAHR: baritone vocal, vocalist, leader

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 51-75 of 242 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia 28025 10-in. approximately 1912 Wanted, a harp like the angels play Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28026 10-in. approximately 1912 A collier’s child, or Why I have no daddy Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28027 10-in. approximately 1912 When they ask you what your name is Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28103 10-in. approximately 1912 Patricia Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28104 10-in. approximately 1912 We must have a song about the Isle of Man Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28107 10-in. approximately 1912 When love is life to me (or Your love is life to me) Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28108 10-in. approximately 1912 When the convent bell is ringing Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28141 10-in. approximately 1912 Follow the footprints in the snow Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28142 10-in. approximately 1912 On the prom Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28143 10-in. approximately 1912 The ragtime violin Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28144 10-in. approximately 1912 Fiddle-de-dee Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28152 10-in. approximately 1912 Have you seen our John? Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28153 10-in. approximately 1912 Josh-uah Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28154 10-in. approximately 1912 The collier’s love Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28238 10-in. approximately 1912 That’s what the rose said to me Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28240 10-in. approximately 1912 My heart is with you tonight Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28241 10-in. approximately 1912 I’ve had my fortune told Charles Holland vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28242 10-in. approximately 1912 Keep on swinging me, Charlie Charles Holland vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28338 10-in. approximately 1913 Why do you keep laughing at me? Charles Holland vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28339 10-in. approximately 1913 You left me for the limelight Charles Holland vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28348 10-in. approximately 1913 My word!, Jones of the Lancers Jack Manning vocalist  
Columbia 28373 10-in. approximately 1913 The wizard's spell (Never will I leave Scotland's shore) Artists vary vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28405 10-in. approximately 1913 Saturday afternoon till Monday morning Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28407 10-in. approximately 1913 Only a faded rose Charles Holland vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28410 10-in. approximately 1913 The Gaby glide Jack Manning vocalist  
(Results 51-75 of 242 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Kirkby, Stanley," accessed November 1, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/325396.

Kirkby, Stanley. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 1, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/325396.

"Kirkby, Stanley." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 1 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/325396

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