Don "Sugarcane" Harris
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| Don "Sugarcane" Harris | |
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.jpg) Harris performing in Hamburg, 1971 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Don Francis Bowman Harris |
| Born | June 18, 1938 Pasadena, California, United States |
| Died | November 30, 1999 (aged 61) Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genres | Rock and roll, R&B |
| Occupations | Musician |
| Instruments | Vocals, Electric violin, violin, guitar |
| Years active | 1960s - 1999 |
| Labels | Specialty |
| Associated acts | Tupelo Chain Sex, Frank Zappa, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Pure Food and Drug Act |
| Website | Sugarcane Harris.com |
Don "Sugarcane" Harris (born Don Francis Bowman Harris, June 18, 1938[1] - November 30, 1999) was an American rock and roll violinist and guitarist.
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[edit] Biography
Harris was born and raised in Pasadena, California and started an act called Don and Dewey with his childhood friend Dewey Terry in the mid 1950s. Although they were recorded by Art Rupe on his Specialty label, mostly utilizing the services of legendary drummer Earl Palmer, Don and Dewey didn't have any hits. However, Harris and Terry co-authored such early rock and roll classics as "Farmer John", "Justine", "Leavin' It All Up to you", and "Big Boy Pete," all of which became hits for other artists.
At some point in his career, Harris was given the nickname "Sugarcane" by LA bandleader Johnny Otis and it was to remain with him throughout his life.
After separating from Dewey Terry in the 1960s Harris moved almost exclusively over to the electric violin. He was to reappear as a sideman with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers and Frank Zappa, most recognized for his appearances on Hot Rats, and on the Mothers of Invention albums Burnt Weeny Sandwich and Weasels Ripped My Flesh. His lead vocal and blues violin solo on a cover of Little Richard's "Directly From My Heart to You" on Weasels, and his extended solo on the lengthy "Little House I Used To Live In" on Weeny are considered highlights of those albums.
During the early 1970s, Sugarcane fronted the Pure Food and Drug Act which included drummer Paul Lagos, guitarists Harvey Mandel and Randy Resnick, and bassist Victor Conte, who was the founder of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative (BALCO). Conte replaced Larry Taylor who was the original bass player.
In the 1980s, Sugarcane was a member of the Los Angeles-based experimental rock band Tupelo Chain Sex.
Harris died on November 30, 1999 in Los Angeles, California.[2]
[edit] Discography
- Don „Sugarcane“ Harris – 1970
- Keep On Driving – 1971
- Fiddler On The Rock – 1971
- Choice Cuts – 1972
- Sugar Cane’s Got The Blues – 1973
- Keyzop – 1973
- Cup Full Of Dreams – 1974
- I’m On Your Case – 1974
- Key Stop – 1975
- Flashin' Time – 1976
- Anthology Volume One – 2001
- Cup Full Of Dreams CD – 2011
[edit] Collaborations
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[edit] References
- ^ Family Tree Legends
- ^ Pareles, Jon (December 10, 1999). "Don Harris, 61, A Versatile Master Of Rhythm and Blues (obituary)". New York Times. pp. C19. http://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/10/arts/don-harris-61-a-versatile-master-of-rhythm-and-blues.html. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
[edit] External links
- http://www.sugarcane-harris.com/
- Obituary at the New York Times
- Don "Sugarcane" Harris at Allmusic
- Sugarcane Harris at www.united-mutations.com
- New Violin Summit at Allmusic
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