[5] Tommy Ridgley was born in the Shrewsbury district of New Orleans, the eldest of seventeen brothers and sisters, of which eight survived[1] He had an impoverished upbringing and was a breadwinner for his family before his teens.

His social life and that of his family centred on the local church where Ridgley began singing in harmony groups[1] He served with the United States Navy during the Second World War and during his rest-time learnt to play the piano.

[7][3] In 1946 he entered a talent contest at the Dew Drop Inn, one of New Orleans premier nightclubs[8] which he won and more significantly gained a profile as an up-coming performer.

Ridgley's singing style in his early career has been compared to that of Roy Brown[1] whilst his reputation as a major New Orleans artist was enhanced by Dave Bartholomew's band that featured outstanding musicians: drummer Earl Palmer and saxophonists Lee Allen, Herb Hardesty, Red Tyler and Ernest Allen [11][3] In 1953 Ridgley left Bartholomew's band and signed a contract with Atlantic records.

These included a number of major R&B artists of the late 50's and early 60's: James Brown, Clyde McPhatter, Sam Cooke, Little Willie John and Ivory Joe Hunter .

[14] Joe Ruffino's death in 1962 left the label in limbo and Ridgley's final two Ric 45s, both of which featured Dr.John on production duties, were released with little in the way of promotion and consequently were not successful.

[4] As the decade progressed Tommy Ridgley continued to gig regularly in New Orleans and Louisiana releasing further one-off soul 45s on small labels: Blue Jay, White Cliffs and Ronn.

[15] Ridgley also cut a number of tracks at a studio in Clinton, Mississippi for Bob Robin's International City imprint including My Love is Getting Stronger, a song that became highly popular on the UK Northern Soul scene in the 1970s and 80s.

In recognition of his long career in New Orleans he was supported by established musicians that included George Porter Jr., Raymond Weber and guest guitarist Snooks Eaglin all of whom turned out on his last recorded album.