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 | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1960s–2011 |
Life and career
editHarris 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][3] 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, #1 on the US RnB 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.[4]
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.
After the Delfonics disbanded in 1975, members Wilbert Hart and William Hart both created their own Delfonics with new members. Harris performed with the Delfonics[1] featuring Wilbert until around 1980 when he joined Williams' Delfonics, and continued to tour with either one of the 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.[5]
Harris died in a Richmond, Virginia, hospital from congestive heart and lung failure on November 9, 2012 at the age of 65.[2] His brother, Joseph B. Jefferson, died of cancer on July 26, 2020 aged 77.[6]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Year | Album | Label | Peak chart positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [7] |
US R&B [7] | |||||
| 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 [7] |
US R&B [7] |
US Adult |
AUS [8] |
UK [9] | ||
| 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
editReferences
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.
- ^ "The Jarmels Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More..." AllMusic. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "JOSEPH B. JEFFERSON DIES – Soul and Jazz and Funk". www.soulandjazzandfunk.com. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
- ^ 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.
External links
edit- Major Harris discography at Discogs
- Major Harris at IMDb
