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Remembering The Death of Ray Price, The Singer Who Reshaped Country Music

Ray Price Death
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

The death of Ray Price, who died at the age of 87, has greatly affected the country music industry. Price reshaped the world of country music. It was in 1953 when one of his fans told him that he sounded like Hank Williams. During this time, Williams recently died, and Price replaced Williams in his band. However, Price wanted to be different, so he started experimenting with the rhythm and even used lush strings. As a result, he reshaped country music with an energetic, vibrant sound that continued even after the 1950s and ‘60s.

What Was The Cause of Ray Price Death?

On November 6, 2012, Ray Price revealed that he had pancreatic cancer and had been receiving chemotherapy. Instead of undergoing therapy, another option would be surgery wherein his pancreas will be removed along with some parts of his stomach and liver. In other words, a long recovery will be required, and he needs to remain in a nursing home. According to Price, this is not an option for him. He wanted to live, but he couldn’t live like that.

Even though there was a remission from his cancer in February 2013, Price was brought to the hospital in May 2013 due to severe dehydration. According to his son, the singer’s pancreatic cancer has reached its final stage while being hospitalized in Tyler, Texas. On December 12, Price was brought to hospice care. Ultimately, on December 16, 2013, the country music artist passed away at his home in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. He was interred at Restland Memorial Park in Dallas, Texas.

Ray Price was not only a great country music singer, but he was also a popular record producer and songwriter. He was born on January 12, 1926, in Texas. Before he joined the US Marine Corps, he was a disk jockey. After serving in the US Marine Corps, he worked at the Grand Ole Opry and became a successful country music artist. Some of the best Ray Price songs are “I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)” -1953, “My Shoes Keep Walkin’ Back To You” – 1957, “City Lights” – 1958, “One More Time” – 1960, and “Crazy Arms” – 1956.

Fans of country music from different parts of the world grieved the death of Ray Price.

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