This week we remember Tommy Ridgley, a singer, pianist, songwriter and bandleader from the golden age of New Orleans rhythm and blues, born Oct. 30, 1925 — 100 years ago this week.
Born in the Shrewsbury section of Jefferson Parish, the first song Ridgley recorded was “Shrewsbury Blues.” On that 1949 recording for Imperial Records, he was backed by legendary bandleader and producer Dave Bartholomew and his band.
Ridgley formed his band The Untouchables in 1957, becoming the house band at the legendary Dew Drop Inn. They would back some of the music icons who performed there, including Little Richard, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke and James Brown…