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Carol Lloyd (Australian singer)

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Carol Lloyd
Background information
Birth nameCarol Ann Cramb
Born(1948-10-17)17 October 1948
Auchenflower, Queensland, Australia
Died13 February 2017(2017-02-13) (aged 68)
Auchenflower, Queensland, Australia
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • composer
  • advertising executive
Instruments
  • Voice
  • percussion
Years active1971–2017

Carol Ann Lloyd (1948–2017), born as Carol Ann Cramb, was an Australian singer, songwriter, composer, and advertising executive. She was described as "Australia's original rock chick" for her role in the Brisbane-based bands Railroad Gin (1973–75) and Carol Lloyd Band and her solo career. She was recognised for her curly, red hair, which was insured with Lloyd's of London for $100,000. Carol Ann Lloyd died on 13 February 2017 due to complications from her idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diagnosed four years earlier.

Early years

Lloyd was born as Carol Ann Cramb on 17 October 1948 at the Fermoy Private Hospital, Auchenflower, Queensland to D and E Cramb of nearby Taringa.[1] She had two older brothers.[1] Lloyd attended Rocklea State School.[2]

Musical career

1970s

Lloyd became the lead singer of Brisbane soul and R&B group, Railroad Gin, in 1973, alongside Bob Brown on percussion, Gary Evans on drums, Peter Evans on flute, saxophone and percussion, Dim Jansons on bass guitar, Phil Shields on lead guitar, trombone and percussion, and Laurie Stone on keyboards, vocals, saxophone and percussion.[3] Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, observed "[Lloyd] was the band's focal point with her commanding stage presence, husky blues voice and wild mane of red hair."[3]

In 1973 Railroad Gin performed a Rock Mass with the Queensland Youth Orchestra at St John's Cathedral in Brisbane. The band were signed to PolyGram and had three singles that reached the top of the local charts, "A Matter of Time" (June 1974), "Do You Love Me?" (October) and "Your Told the World" (March 1975).[3] "A Matter of Time" was co-written by Lloyd and Stone.[4] They were the support act for Suzi Quatro at Festival Hall in 1974.[5][6]

Their debut album, A Matter of Time, appeared late in 1974.[3][5][7] McFarlane described the album as "a mixture of Shocking Blue, Jethro Tull and Steely Dan elements with its hard guitar/flute-driven sound." AllMusic's reviewer felt the group's "music was a mixture of covers and originals written by Stone and was busy, brassy, percussive rock with a funk-jazz feel. But most important was the stunning voice of Carol Lloyd - a voice that was raw, stretched and soared in a manner comparable to Janis Joplin."[7] Two of their cover versions were the Rolling Stone's "Ruby Tuesday" and the Beatles "Come Together".[3]

In August 1975 Lloyd left Railroad Gin due to throat problems and to pursue her solo career.[3] By the end of the year she had formed Tonnage, which was soon renamed as the Carol Lloyd Band.[3] The line-up was Lloyd on lead vocals and percussion, Gary Broadhurst on bass guitar, Peter Harvey on keyboards, Mark Moffatt on lead guitar and pedal steel guitar, and Danny Simpson on drums.[3] They signed a worldwide recording contract with EMI Records - a first for an Australian artist.[8] They had a hit in Queensland with "Storm in My Soul" and released an album, Mother Was Asleep at the Time in 1975.[9]

1980s

Lloyd was co-writer of the theme song for World Expo 88, "Together, We'll Show the World".[2]

2010s

Lloyd performed a series of shows at the Brisbane Powerhouse: "It Takes Two, Baby" with Sue Ray in January 2014,[10], "It Takes Two Baby" with Pearly Black in July 2014,[11] and "It's Time: the No.1 hits of Railroad Gin and The Carol Lloyd Band" in December 2014, at which the All The Good Things live album was recorded.[12][13]

A benefit show was held for Lloyd at QPAC on 20 October, 2016 to assist with medical expenses and artists including Katie Noonan, Alison St Ledger, Yani, Ellen Reed, Troy Cassar-Daley, Peter Harvey, Annie Petersen and Leah Cotterell donated their performances. The show was named Goodbye Ruby Tuesday after the Rolling Stones song frequently covered by Lloyd, and she made an appearance on stage in a decorated wheelchair to join Ellen Reed in performing it.[14]

Personal life

Carol Cramb had married Donald Lloyd and took his last name, but they separated by 1972, "I’d been married, my marriage had broken up, and I'd found my way back to where I was in my teens when I thought I was the only gay woman in the world."[15] Prior to joining Railroad Gin she had worked in advertising, which had taken her to London.[15] She was recognised for her curly, red hair, which was insured with Lloyd's of London for $100,000.[16]

Lloyd was diagnosed with a terminal illness, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis in January 2013.[15][17] In December 2014 she described her symptoms "I have difficulty breathing if I get too excited. The disease was halfway up my lungs when I was diagnosed 18 months ago, probably more now. It creeps up your lungs and creates this crackling."[15] Lloyd and her domestic partner, Annie, held a commitment ceremony on 10 August 2013 at The Edge, Queensland State Library, Brisbane during an event, "The Party of a Lifetime".[15]

Carol Ann Lloyd died on 13 February 2017 at the Wesley Hospital, Auchenflower – due to complications from her fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.[18]

Awards

2008 Plaque for Railroad Gin mentioning Carol Lloyd on Brisbane's Walk of Fame[19][20]
2010 Grant McLennan Lifetime Achievement Award, Q Song Awards[21]

In 2016 it was announced that the Queensland Music Festival and Queensland Government were creating an award in Carol's name to honour her lifetime achievements and support of up-and-coming female artists. The Carol Lloyd Award is worth $15,000 and will be presented for the first time in 2017.[22]

Achievements

1974 #1 hit single (double-sided) in Brisbane: Do Ya Love Me/Academy Rock, Railroad Gin[8]
1974 #1 hit single in Brisbane: You Told The World, Railroad Gin[8]
1974 #1 hit single in Brisbane: A Matter Of Time, Railroad Gin[8]
1975 #1 hit album: A Matter of Time, Railroad Gin
1976 First rock band to play the Sydney Opera House[8]
1976 Hit album (#1 or top 3 in Germany, France, Japan, Holland and Indonesia): Mother Was Asleep At The Time, Carol Lloyd Band[8]

References

  1. ^ a b "Family Notices". The Courier-Mail. No. 3724. 1 November 1948. p. 6. Retrieved 20 August 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ a b Sydney Morning Herald "Hundreds say goodbye to Carol Lloyd, Brisbane's Ruby Tuesday", 20 February 2017. Retrieved on 28 March 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Railroad Gin'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. {{cite book}}: |archive-url= requires |url= (help); External link in |chapterurl= (help); Unknown parameter |chapterurl= ignored (|chapter-url= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ "'A Matter of Time' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 21 August 2017. Note: For additional work user may have to select 'Search again' and then 'Enter a title:' or 'Performer:'
  5. ^ a b The Railroad Gin Story [1]. Retrieved on 8 August 2017.
  6. ^ The Courier-Mail "Carol Lloyd to be remembered for her big heart as much as her formidable stage antics", 18 February 2017. Retrieved on 8 August 2017.
  7. ^ a b "Railroad Gin | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
  8. ^ a b c d e f QMusic"Women in Music Industry Development Panel", 18 February 2016. Retrieved on 8 August 2017.
  9. ^ The Carol Lloyd Band Story: The legend continues [2]. Retrieved on 8 August 2017.
  10. ^ Brisbane Powerhouse Facebook page"It Takes Two, Baby!", 27 November 2013. Retrieved on 8 August 2017.
  11. ^ Rough Red "It Takes Two Baby - Return Show With Pearly Black". Retrieved on 8 August 2017.
  12. ^ Brisbane Powerhouse Facebook page "It's Time: the No.1 hits of Railroad Gin and The Carol Lloyd Band", 18-19 December 2014. Retrieved on 8 August 2017.
  13. ^ Rough Red "All The Good Things". Retrieved on 8 August 2017.
  14. ^ brisbanetimes.com.au"QPAC benefit for Railroad Gin's Carol Lloyd to feature Katie Noonan", 19 October 2016. Retrieved on 8 August 2017.
  15. ^ a b c d e Gay News Network"Sexuality, drugs and the delicious voice of Carol Lloyd", 8 December 2014. Retrieved on 28 March 2017.
  16. ^ Lesbians On The Loose"A Confessional with Carol Lloyd, Australia’s Original Rock Chick", 10 June 2014. Retrieved on 28 March 2017.
  17. ^ Sykes, Emma; Howson, Spencer. "Brisbane rock royalty Carol Lloyd on life, love and music". ABC Brisbane - Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
  18. ^ themusic.com.au"Qld Rock Icon Carol Lloyd Passes Away After Lengthy Illness", 13 February 2017. Retrieved on 28 March 2017.
  19. ^ "Bee Gees and Powderfinger meet in Brisbane's Walk of Fame". 26 February 2008. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  20. ^ "Vale Carol Lloyd". 12 February 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  21. ^ "G.W.McLennan Lifetime Achievement Award Announced". 26 July 2010. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  22. ^ "Carol Lloyd Award - Queensland Music Festival". 20 October 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
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