Tommy Ridgley

Thomas Herman Ridgley 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.

30 October 1925

Born on the same birth day (30 October): Claude Lelouch • Dan Poulter • Fiona Dourif • Fredi Bobic • Gerhard Domagk • Isaac Ross • Kristina Wagner • Marcus Mariota • Nikolai Ogarkov • Polina Astakhova • Shlomo Mintz • Trent Edwards

Born in the same month (October 1925): Dominick Dunne • George Wein • Gore Vidal • Haim Hefer • Ian Hamilton Finlay • Jan Wolkers • Joseph Michel (politician) • Ken Mackay • Luciano Berio • Margaret Thatcher • Paul Fox (television executive) • Simone Segouin • Virginia Zeani • Wren Blair • Zoot Sims