Rowley Harrison

Rowland “Rowley” Harrison was a North East singer, poet and music hall performer who composed his own tunes as well as lyrics, at a time when many songwriters set new words to existing airs.

His signature song, Geordie Black, centred on an elderly coal miner whom he portrayed on stage in costume. He later ran the Geordy Black pub in Gateshead, carrying the name of his comic character into another part of local life.