Harry Robinson

Elma

Elma

Well-Known Member
I am looking for more information on Harry Robinson. He was born in Middlesborough in 1885 but came to London for better work opportunities c 1905.
Harry was born Robert Henry Robinson but as a music hall artist he went under various names. Harry Robinson, Norton Green, Roy Norton and something like Lin Thorpe. Names derived from his home towns. He also played with the GOTHAM COMEDY QUARTET and the CLEVELAND TRIO. I think he did quite well and made a few records, hardly any of which survive in the family. After a car accident in the 1930's he was not able to perform any more. Can any one suggest where I might look for any information.
With thanks Elizabeth
 
Found this so far......Miss Ruby Verdi, who made herself a warm favourite as Cinderella in the local Borough Theatre pantomime, well employs her pretty voice in "Just like the world outside," and does a neat characteristic dance. The tuneful singing of the Gotham Comedy Quartet, contrasted with their eccentric get-up and funniosities, takes the house by storm. They begin with a concerted setting of "Say Au Revoir," which merges into a merry carol of "Four jolly Irishmen." There is also a solo, with humming accompaniment, that might be called "Just break the news to mother," that is greeted with unbounded applause, and the talented singers are brought back many times in answer to approving cheers.

This is from a site here http://www.
arthurlloyd.co.uk/index.html
 
Why not try contacting the British Music Hall Society
http://
britishmusichallsociety.com/
I've had a very quick look at their site and if you go to the Archive section, they invite queries to be sent to them and provided an e-mail address. It also states that they have an extensive sound archive, so you never know......

Ann
 
Thanks very much, AnnB and patten-walsh, that is something to work on. I am thinking a sound bite would be very special, who knows.
 
Just had a quick look on FMP and, yes it would be the same from what I can see.
But british newspapers have the name you are searching for marked by a box on the part of the page you are on but on FMP you have to search the whole page.
 
Hello Sonnyboythethird Welcome to the group. Sorry for the delay in replying, Busy time! It's a very friendly group here always lots of help given from other members for genealogy problems.
I think this is likely to be my Harry Robinson? He did yodel. Do you collect old records? What does it sound like?
 
Hi Elizabeth,
I have a few old 78s; I picked this one up a some years ago in a second-hand shop. I couldn't find this record or anything about Harry Robinson on Discogs, the online music database. Google searches didn't reveal anything about Harry Robinson, beyond copies of this 78 being sold in eBay from time to time. So on a hunch I added "music hall" to the search and that led me here.
Give me a few days and I'll convert it to digital format and let you have a link.
It may or may not be the same ensemble but I have also found references to a 78 of The Old Sow/King Arthur by "The Gotham Comedy Quartette". From what I have found so far, this was an American quartet.
Cheers,
Phil
 
Amle,

I have an ancestor who was in the music halls and the memorabilia that I have been able to purchase has been on ebay. I have his name on 'searches you follow' so that if anything comes on there, I receive an email. Very useful :) Good Luck!
 
Thank you Sonnyboythe third, that is incredibly moving and to my ear just wonderful. I cant wait for family members to hear it. That may take a time, as some are not in the technological age! I will tell you what they think. I think this must be a first for the group here and I am sure they will all be thrilled. Thank you again, I am going back to listen again now.
 
That is amazing sonnyboythethird, and certainly a first for Top Dog (unless I've missed something :rolleyes:)....and what a thrill for Amle :)

Ann
 
You're very welcome Amle. This is one of those happy circumstances where different avenues of research come together and everybody benefits. It has certainly been very interesting for me to learn about the person who made the recording.
 
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