Singer had hits such as Personality, Lawdy Miss Clawdy and Stagger Lee
The Louisiana native in 1998 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
He was a forerunners of rock ’n roll genre alongside Fats Domino and David Bartholomew
Outside of his music Price had a number of businesses including a Southern food line, construction in New York and a New York City club called Turntable
Lloyd Price, pioneer of rock in the early Fifties who had a UK hit with Personality – obituary
Price grew up singing gospel in church and listening to blues; his song Lawdy Miss Clawdy attracted the attention of Elvis Presley
10 May 2021 • 1:20pm
Lloyd Price at the 26th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, New York, March 2011
Credit: Gregory Pace/BEI/Shutterstock
Lloyd Price, who has died aged 88, was a blues singer who came to be regarded as a pioneer of rock’n’roll.
When Lawdy Miss Clawdy, Price’s debut single, was released in 1952 it topped the US R&B charts and laid a foundation with its pumping piano and swaggering blues vocal style for what would soon be known as rock music.
Eddie Ray and Lloyd Price in 2010 [Photo by Sally Young]
R&B vocalist Lloyd Price died May 3, 2021 at the age of 88 due to complications of diabetes. Price was a part of the New Orleans R&B/rock n roll revolution in the early 1950s. His first recording, Lawdy Miss Clawdy, was a hit for Specialty Records in 1952. It topped the Billboard R&B chart for seven weeks. In 1959, his song Personality hit a million in sales. He was both a prolific songwriter and gifted singer.
Price was born in Kenner on March 9, 1933. He was one of 11 children. His musical training began as a child when he learned trumpet and piano and sang in his church s choir. At 18, he formed his first band, the Blue Boys. In 1952, Price s big break came when he sat in with Dave Bartholomew s band one night. Dave liked what he heard so he invited Price to J&M Recording Studio to try to record something. They laid down Lawdy Miss Clawdy, a Price original, with Fats Domino on piano. Dave then sent the tapes
Lloyd Price, Early Rock Pioneer, Dead at 88
Lloyd Price, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer behind such classic hits as “Personality” and “Stagger Lee,” has died at the age of 88.
Price’s death was confirmed by his widow, Jackie. “I am so touched by the outpouring of love and tribute for the passing of my husband Lloyd Price, who passed peacefully on May 3, 2021 at Schaffer Extended Care in Westchester County, N.Y.,” she explained to
Billboard. “Lloyd’s music crossed many boundaries and carried him to all corners of the world. He got the nickname ‘Mr. Personality’ because of his biggest hit but he also earned that name because he was charismatic, generous, smart, funny, talented with a very kind heart. I am so grateful for everyone who loves his music and have precious memories of his many songs. From the deepest part of me thank you, love to all.”