Major Harris (singer)

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Major Harris
Major Harris III.gif
Background information
Birth nameMajor Harris III
Born(1947-02-09)February 9, 1947
Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
DiedNovember 9, 2012(2012-11-09) (aged 65)
Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
GenresR&B
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsVocals, guitar
Years active1960s–2011

Major Harris III (February 9, 1947[1] – November 9, 2012)[2] 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 1975 single "Love Won't Let Me Wait".

Life and career[]

Harris was born in Richmond, Virginia, United States.[1] Early in his career, Harris sang with groups such as the Charmers, the Teenagers, the Jarmels,[1] and the Nat Turner 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.[1] 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",[1] 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.[3]

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,[1] 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[4]
  • Blue Magic Live Featuring Artist Major Harris, Margie Joseph (WMOT Records, 1975)
  • Jealousy (Atlantic, 1976) US #153, US R&B Albums #33[4]
  • 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[5]
US Pop Singles US R&B Singles US Disco Singles Australia[6] UK Singles Chart[7]
1974 "Each Morning I Wake Up" - 98 3 - -
1975 "Love Won't Let Me Wait" 5 1 - 85 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[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Colin Larkin, ed. (1993). The Guinness Who's Who of Soul Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 109. ISBN 0-85112-733-9.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Michael Felberbaum, "Philly sound" R&B singer Major Harris, dies at 65, Associated Press. Accessed 9 November 2012
  3. ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 114. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Billboard, Allmusic.com
  5. ^ Billboard Singles. Allmusic.com.
  6. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 133. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  7. ^ 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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