By Ron Wynn
NASHVILLE, TN — Lloyd Price was not only a marvelous vocalist, he was someone well schooled in the rough and tumble worlds of business and commerce. Price, who enjoyed huge hits in the ‘50s with such songs as “Stagger Lee” and “Personality” passed last week at age 88. The New Orleans born artist began performing at a young age. He was discovered as a teenager performing his song “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” in clubs around the Crescent City. Specialty Records signed him and helped make “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” a hit in 1953.
Price’s career was interrupted due to a stint in the army, but when he returned and shifted to the ABC label his career exploded. “Stagger Lee,” “Personality” and I’m Gonna Get Married” were all huge successes. While his sound was rooted in the blues, his flamboyance and some top production enabled him to become a fan favorite during the early days of rock and roll. He enjoyed 15 top 10 R&B hits.
But unlike many of his comrades, Price also mastered the money end of the music world. He retained ownership of his masters. Later, though he never stopped touring and performing, Price expanded his ventures into other areas like construction and sports equipment. He wrote several books, most notably a memoir in 2015. Though he never expressed much bitterness on stage, Price was very frank about the politics of culture, saying on several occasions that “race was never far from the surface” in regards to things and issues that directly affected his career.
Still, he continued performing over six decades. Price was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, and received an honorary doctorate in 2001. His impact and influence extended well past his days as a hit maker, and his passing marks the death of another giant from the vintage years of R&B.
