A MUSICAL CELEBRATION OF OUR HISTORY AND CULTURE
WRITERS
GEORGE RIDLEY
Born Gateshead, 10 February 1835
Sent to Oakwellgate Colliery as trapper-boy. Soon went on to the Goose Pit (The Gyuess). Ridley worked there
for 10 years befor moving to Messrs Hawkes, Crawshay and Co as waggon-rider where he stayed for three years
leaving after a severe injury following an accident involving a wagon which went out of control and crushed him. He was thereafter unfit for regular work. Ridley then turned to his abilities as a singer of Irish comic and old Tyneside songs. He worked professionally first att the Grainger Music Hall where he brought his first local song- Joey Jones. This was very popular. Later at the Wheat-sheaf Music Hall (later the Oxford) he was also successful. Following this he performed at the Tyne Concert Hall newly opened by Mr. Stanley where he came up with the reole of Johnny Luik-Up the Bellman. At this he was very successful as his likeness to the real person was very close. He performedall over the North. His songs sold well in cheap editions. He was known for The Bobby Cure and Johnny Luik-Up. Children sang these songs in the streets.
After a short 5 year career his health started to fail. Died- at his residence in Grahamsley St.
Gateshead, Friday, Sept. 9, 1864 at the age of 30-. Buried- St. Edmund's Cemeterey. Ridley was not known as a writer
of songs with literary merit instead, he is celebrated as a performer and writer of songs which were extremely popular
and were sung. He had a fine voice and great powers of mimicry. Ridley's premature death is much regretted. While
Allan does not draw particular attention to it his song the Blaydon Races has become the anthem of Geordie Land a
tribute to his special ability to write songs that would be sung and remembered. For his characters
JOE WILSON
Born Nov. 29, 1841 at end of Stowl Street, Newcastle.
Father- Joiner and cabinet myeker and mother a straw bonnit myeker. Both Newcastle natives. Became a printer at age 14.
Wilson had long ejoyed songwriting. His first book came out at age 17. Wilson celebrated the dialect. He opened his own
printing business at age 21 and was successful with his: Wor Geordy's Account o' the Greet Boat Race atwixt Chambers an' Green
and soon thereafter he published a number of Tyneside Sangs. He is known for: Aw wish yor muther wad cum, The Row upon the Stairs,
the Gallowgate Lad and Dinnet clash the Door which were all successful. His first professional job was at Pelton on December 1,
1864 followed by work at the Oxford Music Hall and then at Tyne Concert Hall, Newcassil. After that Wilson toured the north with great
success. In 1869 he married and due to the strain of travel he settled down in 1871 to serve as the landlord of the Adelaide Hotel,
Newcastle. This did not work out and after a year he was back touring. He became ill and died at his home Railway St. at age 33.
Wilson was probably the most successful of the Tyneside song writers. He specialized in homely songs. Wilson was popular far and wide.
He was successful in moving beyond the eccentrics to focus upon the everyday life of the working clases.
A collection of his works appeared in 1890.
WILLIAM STEPHENSON
Born June 28th 1763 Gateshead. One of the earliest Tyneside writers. Apprenticed to James
Atkinson of Church Street- clock and watchmaking. Disabled by severe accident, left watchmaking
to become a scholar and schoolmaster. His school was opened on the Church Stairs, Gateshead.
1812 Quayside Shaver is include in Bell's volume along with Skipper's Wedding (titled then= The Invitation)
1832- published a collection of songs dedicated to Rev. John Colinson, Rector of Gateshead. This
includes: The retrospect and describes Gateshead. He also wrote The Age of Eighty. He was known for
singing this song. Died- Gateshead, August 12, 1836 at age 73.
ROBERT NUNN
Known as Bobby Nunn. Profession- slater. Due to falling off of a roof he lost his eyesight. He worked as a muscian- a fiddler.
In addition to playing the fiddle he sang and composed songs. Robert Emery wrote about him in The Sandgagte Lassie's Lament.
He performed his own songs. Died- Queen St.,Castle Garth, Newcastle, May 2, 1853 age- 45. "A Newcastle man, and had the Burr in all its delightful purity"- W.h. Dawson. Nunn is not considered to be an intelectual. His main skill was as performer. He was famed for playing for women's events, boxes or benefit clubs. A heavy looking man, a great favorite at resorts. During the day Bobby turned wood for turners and cabinet-makers. He also made bird cages. Died= 1853. He wrote: Sandgate Lass on the Robery Banks and Blind Wilie's Death. The earliest publisher of his songs is Fordyce 1842. He was known for singing: The Poor Aud Horse and The quarter of Currans but these songs have been lost.
THOMAS WILSON
Trapper Boy, Schoolmaster, Merchant and Poet
Born Gateshead Low Fell, November 14,1773.
Went to the pits at age 8 as a trapper boy. The last piece he wrote when over 80 years of age
was The Market Day. Wilson educated himself and became a schoolmaster. He eventually became
a Clerk on the Quay and then bacame a partner with Mr. Losh. 1807 the parntership became
Losh, Wilson and Bell. He moved to a residence on the place where he was born: Fell House
where he spent the rest of his life. Routledge produced an edition of his works. The first part of his
Pitman's Pay came out in Newcastle Magazine in 1826 with two other parts coming out in the
next two years. His earliest pieces date to 1824.
Died= 9 May 1858 age 85. Buried- St. John's Gateshead Fell.
WILLIAM MITFORD
Born Preston Near North Shields, April 10, 1788
An important songwriter. Parents died when a child brought to Newcastle by an uncle at
age 3-4 years. Apprenticed to shoemaker in Dean street possibly to the father of Willie
Armstrong. The Budget or Newcastle Songster was published in 1816 by Marshall, in the Cloth
Market. This work contained 11 songs. Mitford is known for: Cappy, The Pitman's Courtship and X.Y.
Mitford played the part of the bisiop in the coronation held on the festival of St. Crispon
by the Cordwainers July 29, 1823 at the Freeman's Hospital, Westgate. At this tim he quit
shoemaking and opened a public house on the edge of the Leazes, near to the Spital tongues,
called: North Pole. While there he wrote the song: The North Pole. Laterhe left the North Pole to
go to the more central Tailor's Arms at the head of the Side. William Watson mentions him as being
there in 1834. Eventually Mitford retired to live in his own house in Oyster Shell Lane at the head
of Bath lane. He died tehre on March 3 1851 at the age of 63 and is buried at Westgate Cemetary,
Arthur's Hill.
EDWARD CORVAN
Born Liverpool, brought up in Stockbridge.
About him Joe Wilson wrote- "Comic iv iv'rything, clivor at owt."
Moved to Newcastle at age four. At age seven his father died. Corvan was brought up by his mother.
Known as Ned. His works Ne place now te play and the Death of Billy Purvis are thought to be autobiographical.
He was known for extravagance and nonsence. He worked as a sail maker. As a youth Corvan was fascinated by
Billys or the Victoria Theater and after sailmaking did not work out he joined Billy Purvis's dramatic company.
With the company he played violin in the orchestra and sung comic and local song. Corvan also painted scenes
and worked at bill sticking. He was not successful as an actor and did only small parts. Corvan was most successful
with his songs. An early song was He wad be a Noodle which was successful. He then became an important
part of the compayn at about age 20. Around 1850 the Railway Company purchased the public grounds from the
City Corporation. (The Forth). Part of this near the Infirmary was let to Madame Tournaire for use as a circus.
The circus was changed into a concert hall called the Olympic (Managed by a Mr. Howard) when the circus was
not in session. Corvan left Billy and joined the Olympic company as a singer. He was very successful. At this
time his songs Oh, what a price for sma' coals and Ne place now te play wre popular. Soon after he wrote Asstrilly or
the Pitman's Farewell and Asstrilly's Goold Fields which were also very successful. Corvan is known as being the first
to compine both writing songs and singing them in character as a profession. With sucess in this line he quit his
dramatic pursuits. With this popularity Corvan traveled the North singing his Tyneside songs. He was also successful
on the road. Eventually he settled in South Shields operating Corvan's Music Hall, Wapping Street for several years
befor giving it up to return to local singing. Corvan brought speaking or pattere into his songs. He would draw with chalk
on the blackboard accompanying his drawing with patter. Corvan produced the song The Fire on the Kee which was
also very popular. During this song he dressed as a female street hawker looking for her son Jimmy. One man almost
laughed himself to death or close to it. Died at his residence, Newgate Street just below St. Andrew's Church age 35 buried-
St. Andrew's Cemetary. In addition to writing and performing Corvan was a good painter and painted sea pieces and landscapes.
JOHN ATLANTIC STEPHENSON
Born Mid Atlantic on Waterloo day 1829. Father was in the Chemical trade on the Tyne and on his way to India to work for the East India Company when his child was born. His mother was a daughter of Dr. Brummell.
Blind willy sung of him- "Dr. Brummel upon the Sandhill, He gov Sir Maffa a pill."
In Newcastle Props a song by Oliver Blind Willy is referenced : "O weel aw like te hear him sing 'Bout young Sir Matt andDr. Brummell.
The family returned from India after 12 years. John started at Sowerbvy's Glass Works, Gateshead. Later he
became representative of John Rogerson and Co. He was a member of the Bewick Club holding office of Hon. treasurer. He contributed as an amateur to the annual exhibition. He is known for water colors of rural scenes.He is also known as a public speaker performing for his club. Stephenson specialized in dialect.
HENRY ROBSON
Born at Benwell near Newcastle. Resided in Newcastle in 1812 as recorded by Bell. Author of The Colier's Pay Week and other poems. He also wrote The Tyne, Hydrophobia, Jean Jamieson's Ghost, Colliere's Wedding Pitman's Pay and others. . A printer who worked with Angus who printed Bell's work. Not known as a dialect writer. Worked as printer with Mackenzie and Dent and at home. Died= Grenville Terrace Dec. 21, 1850 at age 785. Obituary- "he had workded 60 years as a printer, was the oldest member of the profession in the town, and was much respected by a numerous circle of friends."
JOSEPH PHILIP ROBSON
"Bard of the Tyne and Minstel of the Wear"
Born Bailiffgate, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Sept. 24,1808.
Authored some of the most important local songs. (see his autobiography).
Lost parents at early age. Mother died when he was 6 father when he was 8. Father prepared
for priesthood at Stoneyhurst College but due to health did not complete this course of study
and became a Catholic School teacher. Robson was sent to apprentice as a plane maker. Lifting
a heavy log of wood he severely sprained himself and was forced to become a schoolmaster.
He was a poet fom an early age. In 1831 he published Blossoms of Poesy his first work with
Poetic Gatherings coming out in 1839, The Monomaniac in 1847, Poetic Pencillings in 1852
Hermione the Beloved in 1857 and Evangeline or the Spirit of Progress in 1869.
He became a celebrated poet and a friend of prominent poets of the day. He received a gift
of twenty pounds from the queen. Two musical friends convinced him to start writing in the dialect.
In 1849 he wrote the life of Billy Purvis. In 18490-50 he edited The Bards of the Tyne which was
a collection of local songs. This work included some of his own songs. Prince Lucien Bonaparte
commissioned him to create a version of the Song of Soloman in Lowand Scotch.
Robson contributed to Chanter's Comic Almanack and he wrote a weekly letter which was always
signed- A retiort Keelman and written in local dialect for the North of England Advertiser.
In the middle of 1869 while having Evangeline printed Robson suffered a paralytic stroke. He
improved somewhat but it lead eventually to his death on August 26, 1870 at age 62. He is buried
in Jesmond Old Cemetery. Enter the gates turn to the left about ffity yards on the left is his grave.
HOWLAND HARRISON
Born King William Street, Gateshead, June 23,1841.
Author and comic singer starting at 23 years of age. Worked at teh Victoria Music Hall, Newcastle.
He was successful at this and then went to the Oxford Music Hall, Newcastle, the Wear Music Hall,
Sunderland, Stockton, Darlington, Glasgow and other places.
He was known for The Coal Cartman, I'm going down the Hill, The Drum Major, The Lass I met at Shields and
The Death of Renforth. He was known for his broad humour, facial expression attitudes and alterations of
his voice. He wrote both lyric and music. Known as Rowley. He worked as landlord of the Geordy Black in
Gateshead and the Commercial Hotel at Winlaton and manager of his own concert halls. He had a large
marquee for singing and entertainments at the Temperance Festival on the Moor in Newcastle. He worked at The
People's Palace and The Empire. He is well known for the song and character role of Geordy Black.
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