Legendary singer-songwriter Lloyd Price, the founder of rock ‘n’ roll, has enjoyed an illustrious career, the indomitable artist and successful entrepreneur is still going strong.
His classic, soulful hit records including “Lawdy Miss Clawdy,” “Personality,” “Just Because,” and “Stagger Lee” assured his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Price’s song “Just Because” will be featured in the 2017 movie release “The Hit Man’s Bodyguard” starring Samuel L. Jackson. Now, Lloyd Price is teaming with Los Angeles-based vocalist, composer, engineer and producer Rudiger on a tribute album based on nine of Price’s original song titles (all nine are totally new songs using Lloyd Price song titles).
Plus, the ever-vital Price has teamed with Kingdom of Camelot Publishing and Productions under the leadership of executives Richard A. Ricks, Brian Soriano, and William “Dollar Bill” Waller for the Lloyd Price by Rudiger tribute debut of the new CD release titled “Mr. Personality.”
Price, a Louisiana native now living in New York City, was a crucial contributor to the New Orleans R&B sound in the ’50s and ’60s, and was dubbed as “Mr. Personality,” a nickname that acknowledges his talent, his charisma, and his 1959 single, “Personality.” His songs — a timeless series of rhythm & blues and rock ‘n’ roll classics — have been interpreted by some of the greatest artists in pop music history including Paul McCartney, the Beatles, Elvis Presley, Joe Cocker, Amy Winehouse, Fats Domino and Carl Perkins. In fact, “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” — Price’s first chart-topping single and first million seller record of any American Teenager in history — has been covered by iconic artists more than 169 times. In addition to his musical triumphs, he’s a savvy businessman who has owned and operated multiple record labels and a New York City nightclub; Price launched the recording career of the superstar soul singer Wilson Pickett, Little Richard and more. He manages companies that produced and distributed Price’s original southern style branded foods. The Lloyd Price Icon Food Brands and Lawdy Miss Clawdy food products are an array of food, sweet potato products, clothing and collectibles including the Lawdy Miss CLawdy and Lloyd Price Bowling Balls.
Price is still a big inspiration to those who followed in his footsteps. Among those acolytes is Rudiger; Rudiger, surviving a troubled, impoverished childhood in New York has become a positive force in the music scene. Rudiger fronts a well-regarded rock band; Rudiger has recorded and written hundreds of songs for people all over the world. His biggest inspiration is to write songs that have been inspired by Songwriter Icon Lloyd Price. Rudiger has collaborated in songwriting projects with Grammy Award Winning Producer Rob Fusari (Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Britney Spears). Rudiger is featured on a Universal Records CD(2017) writing and singing in collaboration with the legendary Boris-Nonte on the song “Invincible.” Rudiger and his songwriting collaboration partner Lionel Cohen have their song “My Once in a Lifetime” placed in the upcoming Sony 2017 film “First We Take Brooklyn.” Rudiger has written TV commercials for Geico, Coke, and wireless phone companies.
Price’s hardscrabble background struck a chord with Rudiger whose tribute to Price is being released by Kingdom of Camelot Publishing and Productions and even features a duet by the two singers.
While working together in the studio on a newly written Rudiger composition inspired by the Price classic “Stagger Lee’ now titled “Here Comes Stagger Lee,” the two men bonded.
“Listening to Mr. Price’s story was extremely special,” said Rudiger. “All the hits he had and the things he has accomplished. … Hearing how he was poor when growing up in Kenner, Louisiana and how much he loved his parents showed me if you have that, you can overcome a lot.”
“A young new talented blues/rock balladeer has teamed with a legend and brought deep soulfulness to the project,” Richard A Ricks and Bill Waller said. “Rudiger’s own story is so tragic, it’s a miracle that he’s here and able to turn his tears into words and music that truly touches your heart.”
In October, two songs from the “Mr. Personality” tribute album will be available on Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Music and Tidal, to name a few.