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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. 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 and thus able to adapt to a variety of styles: blues, jump blues, rhythm and blues and soul. 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.

Birth and Death Data: Born October 30, 1925 (New Orleans), Died August 11, 1999 (New Orleans)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1951 - 1953

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist, songwriter

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

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Atlantic 1120 10-in. 08/18/1953 Ooh lawdy my baby Tommy Ridgley vocalist, songwriter  
Atlantic 1121 10-in. 08/18/1953 I'm gonna cross that river Tommy Ridgley vocalist  
Atlantic 1200 10-in. 12/1/1953 Wish i had never Tommy Ridgley vocalist  
Atlantic 1308 10-in. 8/8/1954 Jam up Tommy Ridgley vocalist, songwriter  
Decca 81001 5/10/1951 Tra-la-la Dave Bartholomew Orchestra vocalist  
Decca 81099 5/29/1951 Tra-la-la Tommy Ridgley vocalist  
Decca 81100 5/29/1951 Anything but love Tommy Ridgley vocalist  
Decca 81101 5/29/1951 Once in a lifetime Tommy Ridgley vocalist  
Decca 81102 5/29/1951 Come home baby Tommy Ridgley vocalist  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Ridgley, Tommy," accessed November 10, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/340131.

Ridgley, Tommy. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 10, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/340131.

"Ridgley, Tommy." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 10 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/340131

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