He was “Mr. Personality” — a songwriter, singer, arranger, businessman, record label owner, club owner, and fight promoter.
Lloyd Price . . .
. . . set the stage for Little Richard and Larry Williams, and
. . . discovered Wilson Pickett, and
. . . was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, and
. . . died at age 88 in New Rochelle, New York, on May 3, 2021.
He was born on March 9, 1933 in Kenner, Louisiana, one of 11 children. As a teenager he wrote and recorded “Lawdy Miss Clawdy,” a phrase used by local Black DJ Oakie Doakie. He wrote and recorded “Just Because” in 1957, followed by many other hits:
- Stagger Lee
- Where Were You
- Personality
- I’m Gonna Get Married
- Lady Luck
- Question
Lloyd Price recorded an old folk tale, “Stack-o-Lee,” after hearing New Orleans singer Archibald’s 1950 version of the ballad about a barroom murder following a fight during a gambling episode. Months later, American Bandstand host Dick Clark found its violence inappropriate for his teen-centered show and pressed Price to re-record it with tamer lyrics. The singer did, but thought it ridiculous.
The Bandstand version The night was clear and the moon was yellow and the leaves came tumbling down I was standing on the corner when I heard my bulldog bark he was barking at the two men who were arguing in the dark it was Stagger Lee and Billy took poor Stagger's date he said you did me wrong Billy and that's one thing that I hate Stagger Lee told Billy I can't let you go with that because I loaned you my money and my girl I want her back; Look out Stag Stagger Lee went home and he fell down on the floor he said Billy did me wrong and I don't wanna see him no more Oh Billy felt bad because he hurt his poor friend Stag I'm going to give his girlfriend and everything that I have. Stagger Lee and Billy never fuss or fight no more because he got back his girlfriend and Stagger Lee was no more sore Look out Stag go
The original version The night was clear and the moon was yellow and the leaves came tumbling down I was standing on the corner when I heard my bulldog bark he was barkin' at the two men who were gamblin' in the dark It was Stagger Lee and Billy two men who gambled late Stagger Lee threw seven Billy swore that he threw eight Stagger Lee told Billy, I can't let you go with that You have won all my money and my brand new Stetson hat, Stagger Lee went home and he got his forty-four Said, I'm goin' to the barroom just to pay that debt I owe Stagger Lee went to the barroom and he stood across the barroom door He said, nobody move and he pulled his Forty-four Stagger Lee, cried Billy oh, please don't take my life I've got three little children and a very sickly wife Stagger Lee shot Billy oh, he shot that poor boy so bad 'Till the bullet came through Billy and it broke the bar tender's glass
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