Samuel Ridgley, aka Sammy Ridgley, (born August 6, 1943) was a R&B artist associated with New Orleans. His recorded output was slight just two 45 s and an album but he was a regular on the New Orleans' music circuit for over thirty years. He was also a committed civil rights activist who represented his community of Jefferson Parish in New Orleans.

Career

Ridgley was raised in the Shrewsbury section of Jefferson Parish on Andover Street. He started singing gospel at the First Zion Baptist Church. Ridgley's biggest early influence was

Joe Tex Yusuf Hazziez (born Joseph Arrington Jr.; August 8, 1935 – August 13, 1982), known professionally as Joe Tex, was an American singer and musician who gained success in the 1960s and 1970s with his brand of Southern soul, which mixed the style ...

. In 1962, Ridgley joined a seven-piece band and the band got $100 a night while working during a day job at a funeral home. In 1965, Ridgley recorded a session at Cosimo's called "The Hully Gully" with

Tommy Ridgley Thomas Herman Ridgley (October 30, 1925 – August 11, 1999)Tony Rounce, Tommy Ridgley 'In The Same Old Way': The Complete Ric, Ron and Sho-Biz recordings, Ace records UK (2015). was an American R&B singer, pianist, songwriter and bandleader in ...

Eddie Bo Edwin Joseph Bocage (September 20, 1930 – March 18, 2009), known as Eddie Bo, was an American singer and pianist from New Orleans. Schooled in jazz, he was known for his blues, soul and funk recordings, compositions, productions and arrang ...

, and

Irma Thomas Irma Thomas ( Lee; born February 18, 1941) is an American singer from New Orleans. She is known as the "Soul Queen of New Orleans". Thomas is a contemporary of Aretha Franklin and Etta James, but never experienced their level of commercial succ ...

singing background, but the session was never released. Ridgley also recalled working with ''O.W. Scott & the Magnificent'' with whom he made some recordings at WYLD's studio that were not released." Around 1968, Ridgley started his own band called Operation Plus, which played at "the Young Man's Night Club on the Causeway for 24 years". In 1972, Ridgley signed with local producer/promoter Elijah Walker. Walker produced Ridgley's first single, I’ve Heard That Story and Shake A Shake Sue. The record was arranged by

Wardell Quezergue Wardell Joseph Quezergue ( ; March 12, 1930 – September 6, 2011) was an American composer, arranger, record producer and bandleader, known among New Orleans musicians as the "Creole Beethoven". Steeped in jazz, he was an influential musician who ...

and released on the King's Row label. However, when Walker died unexpectedly in 1973, Ridgley's career slowed and he cut just one further 45. In 1981, Tommy Ridgley invited Sammy to open his show with Rose Davis. In 1998, Ridgley was working at the

Treasure Chest Casino Kenner (historically french: Cannes-Brûlées) is a city in Louisiana, United States. It is the largest city in Jefferson Parish, and is the largest incorporated suburban city of New Orleans. The population was 66,448 at the 2020 census. History ...

when he was approached by Donald Lang and guitarist Ernie Vincent, who operate Kolab Records, to record a compact disc. During this time, Ridgley was a supervisor for community action programs at the Harvey Center. In 2010, Ridgley performed at the

Ponderosa Stomp The Ponderosa Stomp is an annual American roots music festival dedicated to "recognizing the architects of rock-n-roll, blues, jazz, country, swamp pop and soul music." It was founded in New Orleans in 2002 and produced by the non-profit Mystic K ...

. Sammy Ridgley died in New Orleans in August 2016

Personal life

Ridgley was the younger brother of recording artist

. Ridgley wasactive in the Shrewsbury community and belonged to the Young Men's Union Benevolent Association, which is one of the oldest organizations in Jefferson Parish and goes back to 1801.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ridgley, Sammy American rhythm and blues musicians Rhythm and blues musicians from New Orleans Singers from Louisiana 1943 births 2016 deaths 20th-century African-American male singers 20th-century American male singers 20th-century American singers 21st-century African-American male singers 21st-century American male singers