George Alex Stevens
Encyclopedia
George Alex Stevens was a songwriter and musical show director. In more than 60 years of songwriting he had more than 2000 songs published under the names "G. Alex Stevens", 'Geo A Stevens' and "George A. Stevens". He was known as a writer of music hall
songs.
For many years Stevens was a close friend of Charlie Chaplin
's father in Kennington
, London
, composing songs for him. His first successful song was "The Huntsman", sung by Dan Leno
at a Royal Command Performance before King Edward VII
in 1901. His hits were sung by Marie Lloyd
, Albert Chevalier
, R.G. Knowles, Gracie Fields
, Florrie Forde
, and many others.
One of his best-known songs was "On Mother Kelly's Doorstep" and Kate Carney
featured his "Mother I Love You" for more than 40 years. In later years he wrote "Chump Chop and Chips" for Gracie Fields, and Randolph Sutton
sang his "When the Harvest Moon is Shining" on early TV, and comedian Reg Dixon revived his "I'm Shy Mary Ellen, I'm Shy".
The lyrics of "On Mother Kelly's Doorstep" tell of Nellie sitting on the doorstep. Nellie was Nellie Moss a young Jewish immigrant from Lithuania. Nellie was a money lender at the time who later gave birth to twins – William (Billy) and Richard Martin. Their father Richard died on a submarine accident in the Irish sea in 1911 before he could marry Nellie. William went on to be the deputy Mayor of Finsbury at the outbreak of the second world war and Richard rose to captain in the Kings African Rifles regiment alongside Idi Amin.
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...
songs.
For many years Stevens was a close friend of Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE was an English comic actor, film director and composer best known for his work during the silent film era. He became the most famous film star in the world before the end of World War I...
's father in Kennington
Kennington
Kennington is a district of South London, England, mainly within the London Borough of Lambeth, although part of the area is within the London Borough of Southwark....
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, composing songs for him. His first successful song was "The Huntsman", sung 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...
at a Royal Command Performance before King Edward VII
Edward VII of the United Kingdom
Edward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910...
in 1901. His hits were sung by Marie Lloyd
Marie Lloyd
Matilda Alice Victoria Wood was an English music hall singer, best known as Marie Lloyd. Her ability to add lewdness to the most innocent of lyrics led to frequent clashes with the guardians of morality...
, 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...
, R.G. Knowles, Gracie Fields
Gracie Fields
Dame Gracie Fields, DBE , was an English-born, later Italian-based actress, singer and comedienne and star of both cinema and music hall.-Early life:...
, Florrie Forde
Florrie Forde
Florrie Forde , born Flora May Augusta Flannagan, was an Australian popular singer and entertainer. She was one of the greatest stars of the early 20th century music hall....
, and many others.
One of his best-known songs was "On Mother Kelly's Doorstep" and Kate Carney
Kate Carney
Kate Carney was an English singer and comedienne who played the music halls in London.Catherine M. -Kate- was born in Southwark, London in 1869 . She first appeared as Kate Carney at the Albert Music Hall in Canning Town, singing Irish songs. She was, however, more famous for her Cockney songs,...
featured his "Mother I Love You" for more than 40 years. In later years he wrote "Chump Chop and Chips" for Gracie Fields, and Randolph Sutton
Randolph Sutton
Randolph Sutton was an English singer. He was a popular stage entertainer in music hall and variety. He appeared at the "Royal Variety Performance"...
sang his "When the Harvest Moon is Shining" on early TV, and comedian Reg Dixon revived his "I'm Shy Mary Ellen, I'm Shy".
The lyrics of "On Mother Kelly's Doorstep" tell of Nellie sitting on the doorstep. Nellie was Nellie Moss a young Jewish immigrant from Lithuania. Nellie was a money lender at the time who later gave birth to twins – William (Billy) and Richard Martin. Their father Richard died on a submarine accident in the Irish sea in 1911 before he could marry Nellie. William went on to be the deputy Mayor of Finsbury at the outbreak of the second world war and Richard rose to captain in the Kings African Rifles regiment alongside Idi Amin.
External links
- Sheet music to "On Mother Kelly's Doorstep", Australian National Library
- Sheet music to "Down, Down, Down In Devonshire", written by Stevens for Florrie Forde, Australian National Library
- Biblioz.com entry
- Paul Matthew St. Pierre, "A Portrait of the Artist as Australian: L'Oeuvre Bizarre de Barry Humphries" (2004), p. 88, Google Books excerpt