Career
Born in Stockport, Cheshire, Liston started work as a commercial traveller before deciding upon a career as a performer. Career and later life
Liston made his performing début at the Scotia Music Hall, Glasgow in 1863, continuing on the music hall circuit. Two years later, he moved to London and adopted a new style of performing as a Lion comique.
He became associated with many popular comedians of the day, including Arthur Lloyd, George Leybourne and Alfred Vance.
Perhaps his best known song became his signature tune, "When Johnny Comes Marching Home". By 1888 and with the Lion comique becoming out of date, Liston developed a new entertainment, "Merry Moments", with which he toured concert halls throughout the country.
In later years and with music hall on the decline, Liston made a successful transition to variety. He performed in the northern provinces for the remainder of his career.
Liston retired in 1925 and died four years later, in Manchester, aged 85.
