b. Major Harris III, 9th February 1947, Richmond, Virginia, U.S.A.
d. 9th November 2012, Richmond, Virginia, U.S.A.
Major Harris was born and raised in Virginia.
His father was a professional guitarist, whilst his mother led various church choirs.
nat turner rebellion 45's circa 1970
In his early years, as a vocalist, he performed with several groups, including Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, The Jarmels (the later version of the group), the Charmers (not the Reggae band), and Nat Turner's Rebellion (rwho recorded 'Love, Peace and Understanding b/w 'Getting Higher' for the Philly Groove label, 'Tribute To A Slave' on the Delvaliant label, and 'Can´t Go On Livin' b/w 'Laugh To Keep From Crying' on Soulville Records).
His brother, Philly songwriter Joseph B. Jefferson, also performed with the latter of those groups, who also recorded for various imprints including the Laurie and Okeh labels.
Joe penned many tunes during his own career, including several sides for the Detroit Spinners.
The Major eventually replaced Randy Cain in the ranks of the The Delfonics in 1971, later leaving the group to pursue a solo career in 1974.
call me tomorrow - 1970 / each morning I wake up - 1974
He then signed with Atlantic Records, initially releasing 'Each Morning I Wake Up' under the name of the Major Harris Boogie Blues Band, whose line-up featured the singers Allison Hobbs, Phyllis Newman and Karen Dempsey.
In 1975, the Major scored a huge international hit with the ballad 'Love Won't Let Me Wait' (ably assisted on the song by the session singer Barbara Ingram).
The song was a top ten hit on both sides of the Atlantic, reaching number 5 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.
'Love Won't Let Me Wait' was penned by the MFSB guitarist, Bobby Eli and Vinnie Barrett (a.k.a. Gwendolyn Woolfolk)
The song was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. in 1975.
my way - 1975 / live - 1975
Following the success of the single, a parent album entitled 'My Way' was released, which contained the popular 'Loving You Is Mellow'.
In 1976, the single 'I Got Over Love' was a minor hit which featured on the album 'Jealousy'.
jealousy - 1976 / how do you take your love? - 1978
The Major then relocated to the RCA imprint in 1978 for 'How Do You Take Your Love', a hugely overlooked album.
all my life - 1983 / I believe in love - 1984
A twelve inch single entitled 'All My Life' was released in 1983.
In 1984, he released the album 'I Believe In Love' for Streetwave in the U.K., which, although popular in the U.K., was largely overlooked globally.
He later rejoined the Delfonics, and continued to tour with one of two versions of the group utilising the name in the 1990's and 2000's.
The Major appeared on the group's 1999 release, 'Forever New'.
He also performed on Phil Hurtt's 2006 Detroit/Philly compilation 'A Soulful Tale of Two Cities'.
Rumours of a new release, entitled 'Always', seeing the light of day in 2007, failed to materialise.
Major Harris's cousin was, the Trammps co-founder, and Philadelphia International record producer, and arranger, Norman Harris.
He passed away in Richmond, Virginia on the 9th of November 2012. He had suffered congestive heart and lung failure.
Albums:
My Way (Atlantic Records 1975)
Jealousy (Atlantic Records 1976)
Live: Featuring Major Harris, Margie Joseph and Blue Magic (Atlantic Records 1975)
How Do You Take Your Love (RCA 1978)
I Believe In Love (Streetwave 1984)
The Best Of Major Harris (Unidisc Records 1996)
