Please feel free to continue to leave your tributes and messages here.
Keith's family have found great comfort in your messages.
*****
Keith's Funeral
Was held on Monday 18th August
at St Leonards Church
Moor Lane, Padiham, Burnley.
BB12 8HT
After which he was buried alongside his parents
at
Burnley Cemetery
Cemetery Lane, Rossendale Road, Burnley.
Elliot and Gemma have asked me to say
a very big Thank You to everyone who attended.
*****
Lancashire Soul Corporation held an All Dayer
at The Pack Horse Inn Monday 25th August.
I am pleased to announce that the total raised
for Keith's family is £420 this also includes a
generous donation of £50 from Derek Higham
from the Bury All Dayer.
Thank You to all the DJ's who gave their services for free. Around 100 people turned out to celebrate Keith's life.
Elliot and some of his family, attended the event during the afternoon he was extremley moved and touched, by all your kind words about his dad, his wishes me to pass on his most sincere Thanks to you all.
A gentle Giant of a man, a true Gentleman and a Scholar in every sense of the word. One of the most none policitcal and honest men on the Northern Soul Scene I have ever been fortunate enough to meet and call a dear friend.
His knowledge and eclectic taste in music from northern soul, soul, Motown to doowop, rock and roll and rockabilly was enlightening. Keith was one cracking DJ who knew instinctively how to read a dance floor and crowd, and I am so happy that at his last gig at Heywood Civic Hall he recieved a standing ovation for his set, he told me he was buzzing about it.
Keith our in depth marathon chats will be remembered fondly, and missed greatly.
Good Night God Bless Dear Friend, I know you are at peace, back in the loving arms of your beloved Syd. God Bless you both.
Name: Tony Foster
Country:
Date: 10 Aug 2008 12:36:14 GMT
Comment:
Really sorry to hear the sad news.
Name: Big Shed
Welcome Page:
Country: OLDHAM, ENGLAND
Date: 10 Aug 2008 17:11:07 GMT
Comment:
Keith was one of the Dj's who took me under his wing when I first got back on the scene several years ago at Failsworth Liberal Club. I have come to respect him as a friend, Dj and mentor ever since. I was deeply saddened when Syd passed away in April and Keith's sudden passing is doubly painful.The times Keith was spinning the tunes and Syd would be on the dancefloor said it all, they were a pair!. I miss them both. Suffice to say my condolences go out to Elliot and his family for this sad loss. Keith was one of the most genial and considerate men I have ever met and I will miss his regular visits to the Pack and his sets at The Polish Club as will all those who have got to know him and followed him as a Dj over the years. RIP mate. Love to Syd. KOKO Wayne xx.
Name: Gemma-Louise Ridge
Welcome Page:
Country: UK
Date: 11 Aug 2008 03:26:03 GMT
Comment:
Elliott and I appriciate all the kind words about his father. He was a lovely man and I couldnt of asked for a nicer father in law. I am glad I was lucky to have known him for the last ten years. He was a lovely grandad and he will be missed dearly by our children. I am glad he was elliott's father as because of him Elliott is who he is (just like his dad in too many ways) but thats a good thing. We will all miss him greatly
Name: Billy
Welcome Page:
Country: UK
Date: 11 Aug 2008 11:07:24 GMT
Comment:
I've known Keith since the days of The Liberal Club in Failsworth on Thursday nights. Always enjoyed listening to his sets at The Polish Club, Heywood Civic and the various venues we've attended in Failsworth on Thursday nights. I've never heard a bad word said about him or he say a bad word about anyone else. Keith Ridge, a true Gentleman will be sadly missed.
Name: Roman
Welcome Page:
Country: UK
Date: 12 Aug 2008 21:17:36 GMT
Comment:
Keith was a dear friend and worked with Wendy and myself on many soul gigs. Notably Rhythm Station where he met Syd, Barnoldswick and Earby. Soul Lang Syne (NYE) in Burnley one of the 4 muskateers and most recently Padiham town hall, his home town, which was a sell out. He enjoyed his soul nights greatly. More than anything he was a good friend, we will miss you Keith. Roman and Wendy
Name: G Farrington
Welcome Page:
Country: ENGLAND
Date: 12 Aug 2008 22:10:04 GMT
Comment:
Really sad news , a true gent, rip gary & linda
Name: Steve Henderson
Country:
Date: 13 Aug 2008 10:35:35 GMT
Comment:
A very sad loss R.I.P Keith Steve & Jane
Name: Mod Mayor
Country: UK
Date: 13 Aug 2008 14:32:51 GMT
Comment:
Really shocked to hear from Fay about Keith. I understand that he had lost his partner not so very long ago and they will now be re-united together. Perhaps we should set up an All Soulies Day for us to remember fiends on scene in years to come? Bernard
Name: Tony Poff
Date: 14 Aug 2008 10:11:55 GMT
Comment:
Absolutely stunned. Keith was only with us at Heywood on the 6th, when he kindly stepped in to help out after we were let down, typical of the guy he was. What a sad loss Tony
Name: Graham Anderson
Date: 14 Aug 2008 15:25:58 GMT
Comment:
You were one of the best Keith, the lifts you gave to me were so valuable to me I will miss you loads big fella, Say hello to sid up in heaven for me.everybody at the Polish club here in Oldham will miss you so much GOD BLESS YOU Keith. Baby Washington "Leave Me Alone" was always one of my faves also Syds every time I play it at a gig I will think of you mate, tara 4 now
Name: Salmon
Date: 14 Aug 2008 16:21:28 GMT
Comment:
My sincere condolences,top bloke
Name: Peter Hunt
Country:
Date: 14 Aug 2008 20:27:30 GMT
Comment:
We have known Keith since schooldays, always admired his knowledge of Soul.I worked with Keith for the past ten years, he brought me back to Soul at The Keirby & other venues.A lovely man, a true ambassador for Soul. We were with him at Heywood, when he got the standing ovation & he seemed happier than he had for some time.
God Bless, Peter & Bronwen Hunt XX
Name: Chris Blackburn
Country: USA
Date: 14 Aug 2008 23:54:47 GMT
Comment:
Keith and I joined the Northern Soul Scene at pretty much the same time (1971 ish) and- along with our girlfriends and then wives- were very good friends for the next seven or eight years until we lost touch when I left the area and then the country. After 25 years I was fortunate to meet Keith at the Barnoldswick soul night around New Year 2005/6 when we shared many reminiscences and later exchanged emails. Our condolences to Elliot, other family members and friends.
Chris and Katie
Name: Clare Shard
Date: 15 Aug 2008 17:11:04 GMT
Comment:
Both rod and I were shocked and saddened to hear the news of Kieth's death. We both remember Kieth initially form the Keirby at Burnly and then the Rythem Station in Haslingdon. He was a lovely man and will be greatly missed. Sincere condolances to his family.
Clare and Rod Shard
Name: Pete Marshall
Date: 16 Aug 2008 12:40:09 GMT
Comment:
I am really stunned to hear the sad news. Like Chris Blackburn I knew Keith from soul nights in the early 70's and always enjoyed being in his company. We hadn't seen each other for a long time as I'd moved out of the area, but was really glad to see him once more just over a year ago. He will be sorely missed.
Pete Marshall
Name: Jim & Ann
Country: ENGLAND
Date: 17 Aug 2008 18:34:46 GMT
Comment:
A true gent, and great DJ,keith will be sadly missed by all his soul friends.Reunited with Syd once again, may you both rest in peace.
Jim & Ann xx
Name: IAN` H` HARRISON
Country:
Date: 17 Aug 2008 22:37:07 GMT
Comment:
Well what a DJ !! & a gent, i could dance to nearly all his records on his set BRILL !!keep um dancin up there keith & syd a big loss for our local area.
big respect IAN H god bless to all his family.
Name: Steve Lane
Country: ENGLAND
Date: 18 Aug 2008 19:41:37 GMT
Comment:
I still cant take in the fact that I wont see Keith again, we last spoke at Romans 60th at the Kierby and had a laugh about the beer running out. In 1972 I was 16 when I met this thick set Mod with cool faded Wrangler jacket and sideburns you could lose a Seagull in (I wanted some!) on the coach to Blackpool Mecca we used to sit together and he helped me memorize the details of my FAKE birth certificate. We once got into an argument about a record I had bought from Tony Jebb which he had been promised....I ended up letting him have it, age before beauty ;) I`ll miss you not being around mate!! Take care up there!
Steve & Linda Lane
Name: David Hudson
Welcome Page:
Country: UK
Date: 18 Aug 2008 21:42:21 GMT
Comment:
I worked with Keith for around 18 years and he was a big help to me in more ways than I can mention, he got me out of a few scrapes over the years and passed on a lot of his knowledge. A really, really nice person.
David
Name: Albert & Marie Heron
Country: ENGLAND
Date: 24 Aug 2008 22:11:06 GMT
Comment:
With heavy hearts we say how priviledged are we to have had you for a friend. Love and really miss you mate.
Albert and Marie Heron
Name: Shirley & Phil Stones
Country: ENGLAND
Date: 24 Aug 2008 22:20:56 GMT
Comment:
Still cannot take it in. We had such a great night with you at Heywood. Thursday night will not be the same. God bless you Keith.
Name: Kev Bourne
Email: kbourne@talk21.com
Welcome Page:
Country: NORTHANTS
IP Address: 86.22.123.41
Date: 9 Sep 2008 11:46:04 GMT
Comment: Keith will always be sadly missed, it was a pleasure being part of the benefit all - dayer at the packhorse raising money for Keith's family.
have put photo's on our website from this day.
www.freewebs.com/soulinthehind
Kev & Gloria