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 101-125 of 242 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia 28635 10-in. approximately 1913 The trail of the lonesome pine Stanley Kirkby ; Mary Reed vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28636 10-in. approximately 1913 When love creeps in your heart Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28646 10-in. approximately 1913 Every Polly loves a jolly sailor Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28647 10-in. approximately 1913 Oh, I do love my orange girl Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28738 10-in. approximately 1914 My Southern maid Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28739 10-in. approximately 1914 My brown-eyed Lou Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28762 10-in. approximately 1914 Wonderland song medley, part 1 Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28763 10-in. approximately 1914 Wonderland song medley, part 2 Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28953 10-in. approximately 1914 Little playmates Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28954 10-in. approximately 1914 Friend o’ mine Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28955 10-in. approximately 1914 So you want to be a soldier, little man? Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28956 10-in. approximately 1914 Pals Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28957 10-in. approximately 1914 Parson and me Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28958 10-in. approximately 1914 A short cut Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28960 10-in. approximately 1914 In my little cabin home out west Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28961 10-in. approximately 1914 In Japanese butterfly land Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28962 10-in. approximately 1914 You’re the most wonderful girl Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28963 10-in. approximately 1914 Love me while the lovin’ is good Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28964 10-in. approximately 1914 Hello, hello, who’s your lady friend Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 29009 10-in. approximately 1914 In dear old Romany Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 29010 10-in. approximately 1914 Naomi mine Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 29011 10-in. approximately 1914 Velvety eyes Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 29012 10-in. approximately 1914 This is the life Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 29082 10-in. approximately 1914 I’ll make you want me Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 29083 10-in. approximately 1914 That was the end of my dream Stanley Kirkby vocalist, baritone vocal  
(Results 101-125 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

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