Stanley Kirkby

Stanley Kirkby (born James Baker; 1878 – 30 October 1949) was an English baritone singer and variety artist of the early 20th century. He sang ballads and popular songs of the Edwardian era, the First World War and the inter-War period. He sang mostly in music halls and variety theatres and was a popular recording artist.

Born and brought up in Manchester, Kirkby worked in a warehouse from the age of 12; he went on to win first prize in a baritone singing competition at the age of 22. His career moved to London where he formed a number of collaborations on stage with other variety artists; these became well known for their smartly-dressed and musically excellent performances. In 1915 he teamed up with Harry Hudson to form the popular duo "Kirkby and Hudson". They entertained audiences with their eclectic mix of songs and humour well into the 1920s. Kirkby became especially well known for his concert party performances at The Oval, Margate in Kent.

Kirkby was a prolific recording artist and has been credited with making the largest number of records in Britain from the 1900s to the 1930s. Although he was among the first to record roles in Gilbert and Sullivan operas, much of his recorded output was popular songs, the subject matter of which ranged from the topical to the comic. He was one of the highest paid recording artists of his time.

In the mid-1920s he was a joint theatrical producer of a burlesque revue. In the 1930s he broadcast on BBC Radio variety shows. He was a founder member of an early British record company which produced Clarion cylinders.

Birth and Death Data: Born 1878, Died October 30, 1949

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1910 - 1920

Roles Represented in DAHR: baritone vocal, vocalist, leader

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 201-225 of 242 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia 35932 10-in. approximately 1916 Just a plain silver locket Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 35933 10-in. approximately 1916 When the moon shines bright on Charlie Chaplin Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 35934 10-in. approximately 1916 I do like living in England Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 35959 10-in. approximately 1916 When the great day comes Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 35971 10-in. approximately 1916 Lover's lane Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 35972 10-in. approximately 1916 Piney Ridge Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 65156 10-in. approximately 1916 Joyland : The big brass band Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 65157 10-in. approximately 1916 Joyland : Lantern land Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 65159 10-in. approximately 1916 It's only a step from Killarney to heaven Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 65200 10-in. approximately 1916 The story the Angelus told Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 65206 10-in. approximately 1916 The boys of good old London Town Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 65225 10-in. approximately 1916 Joyland : Swinging high, swinging low Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 65226 10-in. approximately 1916 When the war is over, Mother dear Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 65235 10-in. approximately 1916 Follow the crowd : Until I fell in love with you Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 65274 10-in. approximately 1916 Follow the crowd : Blow your horn Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 65275 10-in. approximately 1916 Dream-time and you Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 65276 10-in. approximately 1916 Some night, some waltz, some girl Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 65277 10-in. approximately 1916 Follow the crowd : England every time for me Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 65297 10-in. approximately 1916 You stole my heart away Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 65312 10-in. approximately 1916 What did you do in the Great War, Daddy? Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 65314 10-in. approximately 1916 Australia will be there Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 65315 10-in. approximately 1916 When the boys come marching home again Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 65320 10-in. approximately 1916 The song the kettle is singing Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 65321 10-in. approximately 1916 The home bells are ringing Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 65339 10-in. approximately 1916 Are you from Dixie? Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
(Results 201-225 of 242 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Kirkby, Stanley," accessed May 2, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/325396.

Kirkby, Stanley. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved May 2, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/325396.

"Kirkby, Stanley." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 2 May 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/325396

Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license

Feedback

Send the Editors a message about this record.