He continued to release records, but none were as popular until several years later, when he refined the New Orleans beat and achieved a series of national hits.

He had formal training on trumpet and piano, sang in his church's gospel choir, and was a member of a combo in high school.

The song was a massive hit, selling over one million copies and earning Price his first gold disc.

From 1957 to 1959, Price recorded a series of national hits for ABC that successfully adapted the New Orleans sound, including "Stagger Lee" (which topped the Pop and R&B charts and sold over a million copies),[6] "Personality"[10] (which reached number 2), and "I'm Gonna Get Married" (number 3).

[4] "Stagger Lee" was Price's version of an old blues standard, recorded many times previously by other artists.

[11] Greil Marcus, in a critical analysis of the song's history, wrote that Price's version was an enthusiastic rock rendition, "all momentum, driven by a wailing sax.

[13] The personnel on the original hit recording of "Stagger Lee" included Clarence Johnson on piano, John Patton on bass, Charles McClendon and Eddie Saunders on tenor sax, Ted Curson on trumpet and Sticks Simpkins on drums.

[citation needed] In 1962, Price along with business partner Harold Logan formed Double L Records.

[6] He and Don King formed a record label, LPG, which issued Price's last hit, "What Did You Do With My Love", to limited success.

Price appears in performance footage in the 2005 documentary film Make It Funky!, which presents a history of New Orleans music and its influence on rhythm and blues, rock and roll, funk and jazz.

He owned two construction companies, erecting middle-income housing in the 1980s in the Bronx[17] and also homes in Staten Island.