Lasting Memories
Jake "Jay" Edward Price
Dec. 24, 1946-July 15, 2015
Watsonville, California
Submitted by Marlowe Felender
Jay Price, 69, a longtime resident of Palo Alto, passed away on July 15, 2015. He was born Dec. 24, 1946, in San Francisco, California. He moved to Palo Alto in 1959. He attended Jordan Jr. High and graduated from Palo Alto High School, class of 1964. He attended Bishop College in Dallas, Texas. Jay was the lead singer of the Legends, a popular Palo Alto band during the early '60s. He was an avid San Francisco 49ers and San Francisco Giants fan. Jay will be remembered as someone who could light up a room with his energy and great sense of humor. He loved his family and showed it unabashedly. He will be missed by them as well as by many friends and colleagues he touched along the way. Jay is survived by his sister, Marlowe Price; his sons, Tony Price and Brandon Price; and grandson, Brandon Adrian Price, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Oct. 1, 2017
We will miss you each and every day of our lives! And will love you forever and ever. Amen.
Dec. 4, 2015
Was saddened to hear about Jay's passing. What a wonderful guy. LOVE to you Barb and family ... I remember your beginning and thanks for mentioning me in your beautiful words. Much love and admiration.
Sept. 11, 2015
Jake "Jay" Edward Price-The first time I saw your face and then looked into your eyes (at Dusty Streets house in Palo Alto)I knew you were a ferocious warrior. I felt safe and secure in your presence. I had never felt that strong an emotion before. You aroused my enthusiasm and a new-found energy. I knew in my soul that you "were a militant without illusion" and you would attract others to your cause just by respecting their points of view and their friendships". And whoever spent a moment with you would understand why we must fight for the civil rights of all humankind! And I knew that I loved you and I always would...Well, we were both dancers so, we danced and we danced. And we were singers so, we harmonized. Jay was a gentleman so,many weeks passed before we embraced, weeks passed before you kissed me your tenderness overwhelmed me. I knew that I loved you and that I always would. We knew that our love was "Verboten" You were black and I was white. You were 15 years old and I was 15 1/2 years old. We were so young but, we had the precocious abilities to make decisions. We sang with our friends Lakiba Pitman (Jennifer Jones)now a published world known poet and we sang and danced with Dusty Street who was just inducted into the Bay Area Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And she still broadcasts from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. And we played and sang and danced for our friend "Pig-Pen' of the Grateful Dead band. We sought refuge at Mr. and Mrs. Ira Sandpearl's home in College Terrace and at their avant guarde book store;Kepler's. We hid from 'prying eyes' in the St.Michael's Alley on University Ave.in Palo Alto while we ate onion soup. Jay, your band, called The Legends were famous at Stanford and up and down The Peninsula and San Francisco and Berkeley and the East Bay. You were a Track Star on your way to the Olympics. I was a Rodeo Princess and in contract to dance on a T.V. show called Shin-Dig. We were 'On Top of the World' we thought...then one perfect afternoon when we arrived at my grandparents home in Palo Alto. Alas, when we entered the living room we knew our love for each other was no longer a secret. Seated were Dr. Price (Jay's mother his eldest sister Charleseta and my grandparents and my mother-they were waiting for us. They tried to explain to us why we could not continue our relationship. They tried to explain to us why we could not continue our relationship. They told us that in the future inter-racial couples would be accepted in society...but, Not Now. However, we had read the Constitution of the United States and the Pre-Amble to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. We had watched The Civil Rights Marches and race riots. We had watched our Martin Luther King. We watched the brave young Civil Rights workers who were killed for our beliefs and their work. We LOVED and respected our elders but, their words of wisdom fell on deaf ears...So, my grandparents made me surrender my gas credit card and Dr. Price had taken an assignment on Midway Island. God knows they tried to Keep Us Apart. Then a Raiders Football Star/Warrior drove Dr. Price and Jay and me to the Air Force Base and we waved good-bye and they flew away to Mid-Way Island where the Gooney Birds dancing were the only entertainment. But, it was too late. I was pregnant. When I returned home and my family found out I was pregnant-I was whisked away to a convent. Out of Palo Alto and away from the Status Quo. I was supposed to give my baby to two surgeons (they wanted him because he was good breeding stock and they could not have children. Then according to an Attorney for the Entertainment Industry (where I was taken-"no one would know") and everything would proceed as planned. He told me that I could not give the baby what he needed and it would be very selfish (of me) to keep the baby. I told him I would contact him later and excused myself. I gave birth in 1964 at 3:30a.m. when I saw my son I knew I would never give him away. At 5:00a.m. I was escorted by two large men from the FBI to a phone. I thought I was being arrested. The Miscegenation Laws were still in the California Law Books. But, instead the Large-Kind FBI agents put me on the phone with Dr. Price. She told me not to sign any papers and that the baby and I were welcome in her home. Jay had read Dr. Spock's Book on childcare from cover to cover. So, when I arrived at their home-with my mother and sister and the baby - we were welcomed with open arms. We were safe! Our baby was beautiful. And a doctor and Charsetta (who was the head of Birth Defects at Stanford Hospital)and my family (who stepped up to the plate) and of coarse Jay were all there. There were 7000 sq. ft. in their home so, there was plenty of room and we all had our spaces. We lived there for the better part of a year. Jay was the best father I could have hoped for. And he was always there for our son and me. Although we parted and married other people he was always there. He always protected us and loved us. He had another wonderful son (Brandon) and our son brought over 38 children(over the years)to our home for shelter. I look at Jays picture with our sons everyday and feel his presence. When I look at them I gain strength to carry on...how very blessed I have been to know and been loved by him and his very special family and mine. Fly with the Angels Mr.Jake Edward Price my best friend Jay until we meet again...until then I will be blessed by the Love of our son Anthony and his Aunt Marlowe and her daughter Cindy and his brother Brandon and Jay's other wife and my friend Paula and her incredible family. I will love and remember you all the days of my life. Amen
Sept. 1, 2015
I met Jay thru his sister Marlowe. I was immediately drawn to him by his infectious smile and the twinkling in his eyes. Those 2 characteristics alone exuded warmth and friendship. Jay could easily be the life of a party (in those party days). He was very funny and kept you laughing. He lived and loved life. We will miss him dearly but are comforted in knowing he is resting in everlasting peace with God.
Aug. 10, 2015
jay I miss you and love you forever. Now God has you now sweet baby.
July 30, 2015
July 25, 2015
So sorry to hear about Jay's passing. We were friends in Jr. high, & high school. I remember going to Jay's house after school to laugh & goof around, & his mom putting up with all our antics. In high school I use to go to the Legends band practices & hang out, & was always at the dances when the band played. Always a great, fun time. Jay's musical ability was amazing, he could get the whole crowd in the palm of his hand with every song he performed. We lost touch with each other after high school, when we all went our separate ways, to bad.. I'll always remember Jay's great sense of humor, his friendship, & leadership abilities. He is missed, but will remain in my thoughts. You made me wanna to shout too. God bless & best wishes to the family. Bob
July 25, 2015
I didn't know Jay well because he went to Jordan and I went to Wilbur. I believe he was on the track team at Jordan when I was on the track team at Wilbur. We competed in different events. Where I appreciated his talents was when he was with the Legends playing at the YMCA dances. Boy was he a GREAT singer. He had everyone out on the floor when he sang "SHOUT!" He most likely has all our high school friends on the other side up and dancing. When I get to the other side I hope you will have one more SHOUT left for me to hear.
July 24, 2015
Rest In Peace, Jay. Man, I remember you greater than life at Jordan Jr. High but can't remember you at Paly. How can that be? Byron, you are right about Jay being THE MAN of The Legends even though all of you were excellent. He had a great voice and charismatic control of the stage.
July 24, 2015
Jay....you were born in the same place I was,Two months after I was!Also you Moved to PA from S.F. the same year I did! You could always make me laugh or smile! I loved all the dances the Legends performed for!We had a blast at Jordan and at Paly!Thanks for being such a great guy!
July 23, 2015
Jay will forever be in my thoughts, on my mind and in my heart,,,so many memories from younger years to more recent times. His smile and laughter were contagious! The last time we saw one another in Santa Cruz we laughed about past times and when Marlowe and I saw him he whispered that he had given his life to The Lord. We prayed, we cried and we laughed. RIP, my sweet Jay,,,
July 23, 2015
July 23, 2015
I?m one of Jay?s old friends. We met at Jordan Junior High School around 1959. Please know that Jay didn?t just attend Jordan, he was student body President and a student body Senator. I was part of Jay?s campaign. It was an easy job because Jay was landslide popular at school. Jay and a small group of us Palo Alto kids went together to Methodist Church camp at Tahoe in August 1960. Around the same time, a couple of us formed a rock ?n roll/R&B band we called the Legends. The Legends muddled around for a while, until we persuaded our friend Jay to be the front man. Light up a room? Indeed, he could light up a whole auditorium?full of kids dancing and having fun watching him perform. I stood next to Jay on those bandstands more than 100 times, watching him work his magic on those happy audiences?all dancing like crazy. My mind is full of vivid images of Jay?s wonderful performances. If only I could download them for all to see. We had a couple of pretty good musicians in the group (including Bill Kreutzman who became the Grateful Dead drummer}, but there was only one reason why the Legends were the most popular band around Paly at that time. We had Jay Price. He had a great voice, perfect sense of timing, and a theatrical stage presence that blew everyone away. It was fun, amazing fun, making music with Jay, and a great bonding experience for all of us. But first and foremost, I am proud and honored to be one of Jay?s many good friends. Rest in peace, my friend. ?You know you make me wanna Shout?.?
July 22, 2015
July 22, 2015
We used to go to the movies on the weekends. We would line up several, pay one price and sneak into couple more. Then Jay decided he wanted something more substantial than popcorn during these marathons. So, I would smuggle burgers, fried chicken, leftovers, whatever into the theater in my purse. He got such a big kick out it! And exactly how did we do it? I could never quite figure that out. Jay was not someone who blended in with the crowd! He was big and boisterous, not easy to miss. I have not seen Jay for 16 years, but his smile, laugh and puckish nature are still vivid in my memory. Miss you, baby.
July 22, 2015
Thank you Jay for introducing me to licorice I've cream. Rest peacefully.