Sammy Ridgley's 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.
10 Facts About Sammy Ridgley
1.
2.
Sammy Ridgley was a committed civil rights activist who represented his community of Jefferson Parish in New Orleans.
3.
Sammy Ridgley started singing gospel at the First Zion Baptist Church.
4.
In 1962, Sammy Ridgley joined a seven-piece band and the band got $100 a night while working during a day job at a funeral home.
5.
In 1965, Sammy Ridgley recorded a session at Cosimo's called "The Hully Gully" with Tommy Sammy Ridgley, Eddie Bo, and Irma Thomas singing background, but the session was never released.
6.
Around 1968, Sammy Ridgley started his own band called Operation Plus, which played at "the Young Man's Night Club on the Causeway for 24 years".
7.
However, when Walker died unexpectedly in 1973, Sammy Ridgley's career slowed and he cut just one further 45.
8.
In 1998, Sammy Ridgley was working at the Treasure Chest Casino when he was approached by Donald Lang and guitarist Ernie Vincent, who operate Kolab Records, to record a compact disc.
9.
Sammy Ridgley was the younger brother of recording artist Tommy Sammy Ridgley.
10.
Sammy Ridgley was active 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.