TOMMY RIDGLEY

Después de permanecer más de 50 años  en el negocio de la música, TOMMY RIDGLEY, es considerado el maestro del Rhythm & Blues. Como uno de los grandes y perdurables artistas de Nueva Orleans, TOMMY RIDGLEY ha resistido la prueba del tiempo con más de 70 grabaciones desde 1949.

TOMMY RIDGLEY fué  un humilde hombre muy agradable, con una gran cantidad de buenas historias y opiniones muy fuertes, lo que sin duda mermó su posibilidad de alcanzar mayores cotas Las raíces de Tommy Ridgley, como tantos otros rhythm & blues de artistas, comenzó en el coro de la iglesia. Además de ser el descendiente de una familia musicial, tuvo la habilidad de cantar. A los 17 años, se apuntó a la Marina. Durante este tiempo se desarrolló un interés en aprender a tocar el piano. En 1946, después de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, regresó a Nueva Orleans y estudió música. Influenciado por Roy Brown, fijó su residencia en  Nueva Orleans 

                     

                       

Thomas Herman Ridgley first recorded for Imperial in 1949 and then for Decca. Then in 1953 he signed for Atlantic. A year later he cut this arse kickin' foot stompin' classic instro in which he played the piano. A great record i'll think you will agree. Tommy died from lung cancer in August 1999.

Música

"St. Louis Blues", de: Slim Gaillard (Google Play • iTunes)

                   

Also info in : TOMMY RIDGLEY STORY 

Tommy Ridgley (October 30, 1925 – August 11, 1999) was an American R&B singer and bandleader in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Born Thomas Herman Ridgley, he released his debut single "Shrewsbury Blues" in New Orleans in 1949 for Imperial Records. In the 1950s he formed his group the Untouchables, and recorded for labels such as Decca, Atlantic and Herald. His 1952 release "Tra-La-La" on Decca was later covered and made famous by Pat Boone.

In the 1960s he signed with the local Ric Records, and released some singles which were to become local hits, but none of them broke through to create a stir nationally. These sides included "Double-Eyed Whammy" and "I've Heard That Story Before", a remake of the song first recorded for Herald.

During the 1970s and 1980s, there were fewer recording opportunities for Ridgley, however, he continued to record for local labels, and continued to perform. He kept performing at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival every year from 1972 until his death.

In the 1990s, he released three newly recorded albums. How Long? came out on the Sound of New Orleans label in 1990, and She Turns Me On followed two years later on Modern Blues Recordings. He was supported by musicians such as George Porter, Jr. and Raymond Weber on 1995 album Since The Blues Began from Black Top Records. It also featured guest guitarist Snooks Eaglin and turned out to be one of the most solid efforts in his career, but this became his last recorded album. He suffered from kidney failure in his last few years, and died from lung cancer in 1999.

The New Orleans singer, Sammy Ridgley is his younger brother.