George Ridley (1835-1864)
Last updated: 02.04.23
According to the Internet source given below, George "Geordie" Ridley was a Tyneside concert hall songwriter and performer born in Gateshead. Described as Tyneside's most famous songwriter he started work as an eight-year old boy in the pits for 10 years before becoming a waggon-rider for a heavy engineering firm. He was seriously injured at the firm leaving him to become an entertainer to make a living.
His career was short-lived due to his injury from which he never really recovered. He performed widely through the North England in many venues amongst which were the Grainger Concert Hall, the Wheat Sheaf Music Hall and the Tyne Concert Hall. His best know song is undoubtedly The Blaydon Races which he first sang in Balmbra's Music Hall in 1862.
He died in Gateshead.
| Websites: | |||
 |
George "Geordie" Ridley | Biography by wikipedia.org. |
| Title | Attribution | Remarks |
|---|
|
Blaydon Races, The | George Ridley (words & music) G. Ridley (perf.) |
|
|
Cushie Butterfield | Harry Clifton (music) George Ridley (words) G. Ridley (perf.) |
This list is arranged by composer and contains 2 works performed by George Ridley who is featured on sheet music covers.
It does not claim to be complete and represents only the number of items located.
| Title | Composer | Attribution | Remarks |
|---|
 |
Cushie Butterfield (1864) | Harry Clifton | George Ridley (words) G. Ridley (perf.) |
|
|
Blaydon Races (?), The | George Ridley | G. Ridley (perf.) |
This list is arranged in chronological order and contains 16 works by George Ridley (1835-1864).
It does not claim to be complete and represents only the number of items located. Keys: ER
| Title | Year | Attribution | Remarks |
|---|
| Blaydon Keelman, The | ? | air "Dixey's Land" | |
| Blaydon Races, The | ? | G. Ridley (perf.)
air "Brighton" |
|
| Bobby Cure, The | ? | air "The Cure" | |
| Bullerwell and Summer's Race | ? | air "Young Man From the Country" | |
| Cabman, The | ? | air "Spider and the Fly" | |
| Chambers | ? | air "The Whole Hog Or None" | |
| City Champion, The | ? | ||
| Hogg and Foster's Race | ? | air "Kiss Me Quick" | |
| Joey Jones | ? | air "Pat of Mullingar" | |
| John Spencer | ? | air "Hamlet" | |
| Johnny Luik-Up | ? | air "Sally Come Up" | |
| ⇑ Newcastle Celebretries | ? | air "Nothing More" | |
| Rifleman, The | ? | air "Coal Black Rose" | |
| Sheels Lass For Me, The | ? | air "The Whole Hog Or None" | |
| Stephenson Monument, The | ? | air "John Barleycorn" | |
| Teasdale Wilson | ? | air "The Happiest Man Alive" |