Major Harris (singer)
Major Harris | |
|---|---|
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Major Harris III |
| Born | February 9, 1947 Richmond, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | November 9, 2012 (aged 65) Richmond, Virginia, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1960s–2011 |
Major Harris III (February 9, 1947 – November 9, 2012) was an American R&B singer, associated with the Philadelphia soul sound and the Delfonics (early 1970s–1974). His biggest hit as a solo artist was the sultry 1975 single "Love Won't Let Me Wait."
Life and career
Harris was born in Richmond, Virginia. Early in his career, Harris sang with groups such as the Charmers, the Teenagers, the Jarmels, and the Nat Turner's Rebellion, which also featured his songwriting brother, Joseph B. Jefferson, and recorded a few solo 7" records on the Laurie and Okeh labels. In the early 1970s, he took over from Randy Cain as a member of the Delfonics; he quit the group to go solo in 1974. Signing with Atlantic Records, Harris scored a string of R&B hits in the United States, including the Top Ten single "Love Won't Let Me Wait", which peaked at #5 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and #37 in the UK Top 50 in September 1975. Written by Bobby Eli and Vinnie Barrett, "Love Won't Let Me Wait" was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. on 25 June 1975.[1]
In 1984 Harris recorded the LP I Believe In Love on Streetwave Records, the title track of the same name which did receive airplay that year on BBC Radio 1 from DJ Robbie Vincent. However, the LP had limited success.
When his success as a soloist subsided, Harris returned to the Delfonics, and continued to tour with one of two touring ensembles that used the name in the 1990s and 2000s. Major was a cousin to the Philadelphia record producer and arranger, Norman Harris.
Harris died in a Richmond, Virginia, hospital from congestive heart and lung failure at the age of 65.[2]
Discography
Albums
- My Way (Atlantic Records, 1974) US #28, US R&B Albums #12[3]
- Blue Magic Live Featuring Artist Major Harris, Margie Joseph (WMOT Records, 1975)
- Jealousy (Atlantic, 1976) US #153, US Black Albums #33[3]
- How Do You Take Your Love (RCA Records, 1978)
- The Best Of Now and Then (Hot Productions, 1994)
- I Believe in Love (Hot Productions, 1995)
- The Best Of Major Harris (Unidisc, 1996)
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions[4] | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Pop Singles | US R&B Singles | US Disco Singles | UK Singles Chart[5] | ||
| 1974 | "Each Morning I Wake Up" | - | 98 | 3 | - |
| 1975 | "Love Won't Let Me Wait" | 5 | 1 | - | 37 |
| 1976 | "I Got Over Love" | - | 24 | - | - |
| 1976 | "It's Got to Be Magic" | - | 91 | - | - |
| 1976 | "Jealousy" | 73 | 46 | - | - |
| 1976 | "Laid Back Love" | 91 | 57 | - | - |
| 1983 | "All My Life" | - | - | - | 61 |
| 1984 | "Gotta Make Up Your Mind" | - | - | - | - |
See also
- List of artists who reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart
- List of current Atlantic Records artists
- List of 1970s one-hit wonders in the United States
References
- ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 114. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
- ^ Michael Felberbaum, "Philly sound" R&B singer Major Harris, dies at 65, Associated Press. Accessed 9 November 2012
- ^ a b Billboard, Allmusic.com
- ^ Billboard Singles. Allmusic.com.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 244. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
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