Lloyd Edward Lindroth (June 6, 1931 – June 9, 1994) was an American harpist.
Originally from Seattle, Washington, Lloyd began his study of the harp at age 14, and was quickly recognized for his unique showmanship and ability to take the harp beyond its normal parameters, pioneering the world's first electronic harp. He played in the U.S. Army Band and performed five times in the White House during the Eisenhower administration. He also performed worldwide, and was nicknamed "Liberace of the Harp".
He headlined all the major resorts in Las Vegas for many years, and from 1983 until his death was the star attraction in the lobby of the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, where his Cascading Waters Show was the ultimate one-of-a-kind showstopper. Mr. Lindroth, who did not sing, owned four harps and wore a $7,000 harp-shaped ring and beaded costumes during his performance six nights a week. His repertoire included all styles of music, from "Beer Barrel Polka" to "Rocky Top" to "America the Beautiful."
Here’s “Somewhere My Love” from the album "Love Drops.”
He also took his harp to stages where the instrument was a stranger: the Grand Ole Opry and the syndicated television show "Hee Haw." He played on the soundtrack of the television mini-series "Roots" and performed periodically on cable TV's Nashville Network . "I live for my harp," he said in a 1991 Associated Press interview.
He underwent a heart transplant in October 1993 and resumed ![]()
performing after six weeks, but later died after a bout with pneumonia. Even during his most recent hospitalization, Lindroth wanted to keep playing his harp. "He asked to leave the hospital so he could go do his shows and then come back, but the doctor said no," George Michaud, his long-time manager, said."And he wanted me to bring a harp to the hospital room so he could keep his fingers up."
performing after six weeks, but later died after a bout with pneumonia. Even during his most recent hospitalization, Lindroth wanted to keep playing his harp. "He asked to leave the hospital so he could go do his shows and then come back, but the doctor said no," George Michaud, his long-time manager, said."And he wanted me to bring a harp to the hospital room so he could keep his fingers up."
He had played for millions of people at the time of his death and is buried in Palm Memorial Park, Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada, USA.
(Info mainly edited from various obits)