On This Day in 2003: Humble Pie’s Greg Ridley Died at 56, Remembered for His Influence on ’60s and ’70s Rock
Photo by Jim Summaria (cropped), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Early Life and Career
Greg Ridley (born Alfred Gregory Ridley on October 23, 1947, in Carlisle, England) was a founding member and bassist of the rock band Humble Pie. He first played in bands like Dino & the Danubes and later joined Spooky Tooth before forming Humble Pie in 1969 with Steve Marriott, Peter Frampton, and drummer Jerry Shirley.
Ridley’s bass playing anchored Humble Pie’s rhythm section alongside Shirley, and his deep baritone voice often added contrast to Marriott’s higher vocals. He also wrote several songs, including “Sucking on the Sweet Vine,” “The Light of Love,” and “Big George.”
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Impact and Legacy
Humble Pie quickly became known for its hard-hitting, bluesy sound and high-energy live performances. Their album Performance – Rockin’ the Fillmore captured this raw intensity and later became a classic among rock fans. The band influenced later acts across rock, blues, and hard rock.
Ridley’s work with Marriott and Frampton helped propel the group to massive popularity in the early ’70s. Even after Frampton’s departure, Ridley remained a key member, contributing to albums like Smokin’ and Rock On.
His Death and Final Years
On November 19, 2003, Greg Ridley died in Alicante, Spain, of pneumonia and associated complications. He was 56 years old. Though he had briefly rejoined Humble Pie in 2002 for the album Back on Track, his health declined, forcing him toward retirement.
Obituaries noted his influence and humility. According to The Independent, he once said, “It was never my intention to just play bass but thank God I did it. I love it. Bass and drums are the backbone of any band. I only gave up being a frontman to better singers. Steve was the best in the business.”
Remembering His Role in Rock
Ridley’s contribution to Humble Pie helped define a powerful sound that blended rock and blues in a way that few bands of the era could. His partnership with Jerry Shirley gave the band a sturdy and respected rhythm section, praised by critics and fans alike.
Although he left the public eye for periods, Ridley’s bass lines remain an essential part of Humble Pie’s legacy. His role in the band is still honored by music historians and rock fans, who view him as a major figure in classic rock’s golden years.
