Summary
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".
Major Harris | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 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 |
Life and career edit
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 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 Singles Chart 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 album 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.[4]
Harris died in a Richmond, Virginia, hospital from congestive heart and lung failure at the age of 65.[2]
Discography edit
Studio albums edit
| Year | Album | Label | Peak chart positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [5] |
US R&B [5] | |||||
| 1974 | My Way | Atlantic Records | 28 | 12 | ||
| 1975 | Blue Magic Live featuring Major Harris and Margie Joseph | WMOT Records | — | — | ||
| 1976 | Jealousy | Atlantic Records | 153 | 33 | ||
| 1978 | How Do You Take Your Love | RCA Records | — | — | ||
| 1984 | I Believe in Love | Streetwave Records | — | — | ||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. | ||||||
Compilation albums edit
- The Best of Now and Then (WMOT Records, 1981)
Singles edit
| Year | Title | Chart positions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Pop [5] |
US R&B [5] |
US Adult |
AUS [6] |
UK [7] | ||
| 1974 | "Each Morning I Wake Up" | — | 98 | — | — | — |
| 1975 | "Love Won't Let Me Wait" | 5 | 1 | 33 | 85 | 37 |
| 1976 | "I Got Over Love" | — | 24 | — | — | — |
| "It's Got to Be Magic" | — | 91 | — | — | — | |
| "Jealousy" | 73 | 46 | — | — | — | |
| "Laid Back Love" | 91 | 57 | — | — | — | |
| 1981 | "Here We Are" | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1983 | "All My Life" | — | 52 | — | — | 61 |
| "I Want Your Love" | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 1984 | "Gotta Make Up Your Mind" | — | — | — | — | — |
| "I Believe in Love" | — | — | — | — | — | |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. | ||||||
See also edit
References edit
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Felberbaum, Michael. ""Philly sound" R&B singer Major Harris, dies at 65". Retrieved November 9, 2012.
- ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 114. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
- ^ Hamilton, Andrew. "Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Major Harris - Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 244. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
