George Leybourne
Encyclopedia
Joe Sanders better known as George Leybourne, was an English
music hall
performer. Often nicknamed "Champagne Charlie
", Leybourne is best-remembered as the lyricist for The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze
.
, and became a factory worker in Birmingham
. He began a career in the northern music halls, with the song Villikins and His Dinah. His first professional appearance in London was at the Whitechapel Music Hall in 1864.
Champagne Charlie
was first performed at the Sun Music Hall, Knightsbridge
in 1867. He entered in top hat and tails, dressed as a swell in immaculate evening dress, with gloves, cane, and scarf, waving a bottle of vintage Moet & Chandon. Leybourne's rival Alfred Vance
introduced a number called Cliquot
, starting a fierce competition between the two which culminated with Vance's rendition of Beautiful Beer. Their style introduced a new genre to the music hall, lion comique
.
Leybourne wrote the lyrics for many popular hits of the time, including The Flying Trapeze (now known as The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze), which was published in 1867 with music by Gaston Lyle, arranged by Alfred Lee.
Leybourne also wrote the lyrics to the 1871 song If Ever I Cease To Love that is remembered today because of its association with Mardi Gras
in New Orleans. It became the signature song for the Rex Krewe
. The song was sung in England by Lydia Thompson
, who included it in her burlesque show Bluebeard, which she then toured in the United States. Grand Duke
Alexis Romanoff saw it and was fascinated by the song, the songstress, or both. He visited New Orleans in 1872, and the king of Carnival directed that all bands in the Rex parade would play "the Royal Anthem", If Ever I Cease To Love. It remains permanently associated with Rex, and is a New Orleans carnival standard.
In 1866, Leybourne began his career of making celebrity endorsements for Champagne. The Champagne maker Moet commissioned him to write and perform songs extolling the virtues of Champagne, especially as a reflection of taste, affluence, and the good life. He also agreed to drink nothing but Champagne in public. His efforts did much to establish Champagne as an important element in conspicuous consumption
.
George Leybourne's daughter Florrie married Music-Hall performer Albert Chevalier
and was the inspiration for Chevalier's hit My Old Dutch.
Leybourne died penniless in Islington
and is buried at Abney Park Cemetery
in Stoke Newington
, London with his grandson, daughter Florence and her husband, the music hall star Albert Chevalier
. His headstone, with the epitaph, God's finger touched him and he slept was erected by Dan Leno
, and the Grand Order of Water Rats
.
George Leybourne's grave is cared for by The Music Hall Guild of Great Britain and America
.
in London's East End, the world's oldest and last surviving grand music hall, and an adjoining modern residential apartment block has appropriately been named after him (Leybourne House).
Definitive biography of George Leybourne by Christopher Beeching, published DCG Media Group 2011 http://www.heaviestofswells.com
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
music hall
Music hall
Music Hall is a type of British theatrical entertainment which was popular between 1850 and 1960. The term can refer to:# A particular form of variety entertainment involving a mixture of popular song, comedy and speciality acts...
performer. Often nicknamed "Champagne Charlie
Champagne Charlie
-People:*George Leybourne, introduced the song "Champagne Charlie" to the London music hall, and was himself thereafter often referred to as "Champagne Charlie"*Charlie Nicholas, Scottish footballer nicknamed "Champagne Charlie"...
", Leybourne is best-remembered as the lyricist for The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze
The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze
"The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze", originally published under the title "The Flying Trapeze" and also known as "The Man on the Flying Trapeze", is a 19th century popular song about a flying trapeze circus performer, Jules Léotard...
.
Career
Leybourne was born in GatesheadGateshead
Gateshead is a town in Tyne and Wear, England and is the main settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead. Historically a part of County Durham, it lies on the southern bank of the River Tyne opposite Newcastle upon Tyne and together they form the urban core of Tyneside...
, and became a factory worker in Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
. He began a career in the northern music halls, with the song Villikins and His Dinah. His first professional appearance in London was at the Whitechapel Music Hall in 1864.
Champagne Charlie
Champagne Charlie (song)
Champagne Charlie is a music hall song from the 19th century composed by Alfred Lee with lyrics by George Leybourne. It was popularised by performer George Leybourne. The song was first performed at the Sun Music Hall, Knightsbridge in 1867...
was first performed at the Sun Music Hall, Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge is a road which gives its name to an exclusive district lying to the west of central London. The road runs along the south side of Hyde Park, west from Hyde Park Corner, spanning the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea...
in 1867. He entered in top hat and tails, dressed as a swell in immaculate evening dress, with gloves, cane, and scarf, waving a bottle of vintage Moet & Chandon. Leybourne's rival Alfred Vance
Alfred Vance
Alfred Peek Stevens , best known by his stage name Alfred Vance, was an English singer in the 19th Century music halls.-Early life and family:Vance was born in London in 1839...
introduced a number called Cliquot
Veuve Clicquot
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin is both a champagne house in Reims, France, and a brand of premium champagne. Founded in 1772 by Philippe Clicquot-Muiron, Veuve Clicquot played an important role in establishing champagne as a favored drink of haute bourgeoisie and nobility throughout Europe...
, starting a fierce competition between the two which culminated with Vance's rendition of Beautiful Beer. Their style introduced a new genre to the music hall, lion comique
Lion comique
Lion comique was a popular style of entertainment in Victorian music halls, a parody of upper class toffs or "swells". The songs the performers of the genre sang were "hymns of praise to the virtues of idleness, womanising and drinking", perhaps the most well-known of which is George Leybourne's...
.
Leybourne wrote the lyrics for many popular hits of the time, including The Flying Trapeze (now known as The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze), which was published in 1867 with music by Gaston Lyle, arranged by Alfred Lee.
Mardi Gras
The terms "Mardi Gras" , "Mardi Gras season", and "Carnival season", in English, refer to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after Epiphany and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday...
in New Orleans. It became the signature song for the Rex Krewe
Rex parade
Rex is a New Orleans Carnival Krewe which stages one of the city's most celebrated parades on Mardi Gras Day. Rex is Latin for "King", and Rex reigns as "The King of Carnival"....
. The song was sung in England by Lydia Thompson
Lydia Thompson
Lydia Thompson, born Eliza Hodges Thompson , was an English dancer, actress and theatrical producer....
, who included it in her burlesque show Bluebeard, which she then toured in the United States. Grand Duke
Grand Duke
The title grand duke is used in Western Europe and particularly in Germanic countries for provincial sovereigns. Grand duke is of a protocolary rank below a king but higher than a sovereign duke. Grand duke is also the usual and established translation of grand prince in languages which do not...
Alexis Romanoff saw it and was fascinated by the song, the songstress, or both. He visited New Orleans in 1872, and the king of Carnival directed that all bands in the Rex parade would play "the Royal Anthem", If Ever I Cease To Love. It remains permanently associated with Rex, and is a New Orleans carnival standard.
In 1866, Leybourne began his career of making celebrity endorsements for Champagne. The Champagne maker Moet commissioned him to write and perform songs extolling the virtues of Champagne, especially as a reflection of taste, affluence, and the good life. He also agreed to drink nothing but Champagne in public. His efforts did much to establish Champagne as an important element in conspicuous consumption
Conspicuous consumption
Conspicuous consumption is spending on goods and services acquired mainly for the purpose of displaying income or wealth. In the mind of a conspicuous consumer, such display serves as a means of attaining or maintaining social status....
.
George Leybourne's daughter Florrie married Music-Hall performer Albert Chevalier
Albert Chevalier
Albert Onesime Britannicus Gwathveoyd Louis Chevalier was an English comedian and actor.-Early life:Albert Chevalier was born in the Royal Crescent, in London's Notting Hill...
and was the inspiration for Chevalier's hit My Old Dutch.
Leybourne died penniless in Islington
Islington
Islington is a neighbourhood in Greater London, England and forms the central district of the London Borough of Islington. It is a district of Inner London, spanning from Islington High Street to Highbury Fields, encompassing the area around the busy Upper Street...
and is buried at Abney Park Cemetery
Abney Park Cemetery
Abney Park in Stoke Newington, in the London Borough of Hackney, is a historic parkland originally laid out in the early 18th century by Lady Mary Abney and Dr. Isaac Watts, and the neighbouring Hartopp family. In 1840 it became a non-denominational garden cemetery, semi-public park arboretum, and...
in Stoke Newington
Stoke Newington
Stoke Newington is a district in the London Borough of Hackney. It is north-east of Charing Cross.-Boundaries:In modern terms, Stoke Newington can be roughly defined by the N16 postcode area . Its southern boundary with Dalston is quite ill-defined too...
, London with his grandson, daughter Florence and her husband, the music hall star Albert Chevalier
Albert Chevalier
Albert Onesime Britannicus Gwathveoyd Louis Chevalier was an English comedian and actor.-Early life:Albert Chevalier was born in the Royal Crescent, in London's Notting Hill...
. His headstone, with the epitaph, God's finger touched him and he slept was erected by Dan Leno
Dan Leno
Dan Leno , born George Wild Galvin, was an English comedian and actor, famous for appearing in music hall and dozens of comic plays, pantomimes, Victorian burlesques and musical comedies during the Victorian era...
, and the Grand Order of Water Rats
Grand Order of Water Rats
The Grand Order of Water Rats is an entertainment industry charity, and brotherhood, based in London. The Water Rats were founded in 1889 by comedian Joe Elvin. The first King Rat, as the head of the charity is termed, was music hall singer Harry Freeman. Comedian Dan Leno joined in 1890 and was...
.
George Leybourne's grave is cared for by The Music Hall Guild of Great Britain and America
The Music Hall Guild of Great Britain and America
The Music Hall Guild of Great Britain and America is a registered theatre charity and non-profit making theatre organisation based in London and was founded by Adrian Barry in 1992...
.
See also
The actor appeared at Wilton's Music HallWilton's Music Hall
Wilton's Music Hall is a grade II* listed building, built as a music hall and now a more general-purpose performance space in Grace's Alley, off Cable Street in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets...
in London's East End, the world's oldest and last surviving grand music hall, and an adjoining modern residential apartment block has appropriately been named after him (Leybourne House).
External links
Definitive biography of George Leybourne by Christopher Beeching, published DCG Media Group 2011 http://www.heaviestofswells.com