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Lloyd Price - born in Kenner, Louisiana on March 9, 1933 - was an R&B vocalist best known for his Number 1 singles “Lawdy Miss Clawdy,” “Stagger Lee,” and “Personality,” the song that inspired his nickname ‘Mr. Personality’. Discovered in 1952 by Art Rupe, the owner of Specialty Records, Lloyd Price signed to the label and recorded his first single, “Lawdy Miss Clawdy,” with a band that featured Fats Domino on piano. The single was releases shortly after and shot to Number 1 on Billboard’s R&B Singles chart. His next five singles - including his version of “Ain’t That a Shame” - charted in the R&B chart’s Top 10, but didn’t have the same type of impact as his debut single. His next six singles failed to chart at all and Lloyd Price was drafted into the US Army in 1954. By the time he returned home, Specialty Records had switched their attention to Little Richard and Lloyd Price had to practically restart his career. He co-founded the label KRC Records and released the single “Just Because,” which was picked up for distribution by ABC Records and reached Number 3 on the R&B chart. After a series of non-charting singles, he released “Stagger Lee,” a Number 1 Pop and R&B hit that revived his career. The following year, he released the single “Personality,” which rose to Number 1 on the R&B chart and Number 2 on the Pop chart. While “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” and “Stagger Lee” were bigger hits, “Personality” has become his signature song. He released over 20 studio albums and many more compilations over the years, although he is best remembered for his singles. Although he never achieved the same level of commercial success, he helped give Wilson Pickett his start in 1962 by signing hime to his new label. Lloyd Price was an entrepreneur and owned several companies outside of the music business which kept him busy between the occasional live performance. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. Lloyd Price died on May 3, 2021, at the age of 88.
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