| Birth Name: | James Emanuel Platt |
| Birth Date: | 1870 |
| Birth Place: | Weymouth, Dorset, England |
| Death Place: | London |
| Occupation: | Comic entertainer, singer |
| Years Active: | 1890s - 1920s |
J. W. Rickaby (born James Emanuel Platt; 1870 - 1 October 1929) was an English music hall comedian.
He was born in Weymouth, Dorset, the son of a colour sergeant in the 7th Royal Lancashire Militia, and grew up in Manchester. He married Martha Ann Waite in 1894. He began as a serious actor and baritone singer, but discovered he could make a better living as a comic entertainer and first appeared as such in music halls in 1904. He performed in a shabby frock coat, battered top hat, old boots and spats.[1] [2]
He toured Australia in 1908. One review said of him: "He is a comedian with a good deal of genuine humor, which he exhibited in amusing burlesques of various types of character, such as a British soldier with a capacity for enjoyment, a sailor, and a policeman. These were hit off in such a manner as to keep the audience laughing heartily during his turns."[2] His songs included "What Ho, She Bumps!", "PC 49", and "Silk Hat Tony", which became better known as "They Built Piccadilly For Me".[1] He recorded several of his songs. He was offered the song "Burlington Bertie" but turned it down as being too similar to his other material.[3]
He died in London in 1929, and was buried at Putney Vale Cemetery.[1]