Major Harris
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
Instrument(s)Vocals, 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 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

Studio albums

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

  • The Best of Now and Then (WMOT Records, 1981)

Singles

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

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Colin Larkin, ed. (1993). The Guinness Who's Who of Soul Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 109. ISBN 0-85112-733-9.
  2. 1 2 Felberbaum, Michael. ""Philly sound" R&B singer Major Harris, dies at 65". Retrieved November 9, 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. ↑ Hamilton, Andrew. "Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Major Harris - Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  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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