Major Harris (singer)  

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Major Harris III (February 9, 1947 – November 9, 2012) was an American 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".

Career

In his early career, Harris sang with groups such as The Charmers, The Teenagers, The Jarmels, and Nat Turner's 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. Signing with Atlantic Records, Harris scored a string of R&B hits in the US, including the Top Ten single "Love Won't Let Me Wait", which peaked at #5 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and #37 in the UK Top 50. 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.

When his success as a soloist subsided, Harris returned to the Delfonics, 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 late Philadelphia record producer and arranger, Norman Harris.

Solo discography

Albums

• My Way (Atlantic Records, 1975) US #28, US Black Albums #12

• Blue Magic Live Featuring Artist Major Harris, Margie Joseph (1975)
• Jealousy (Atlantic, 1976) US #153, US Black Albums #33
• 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

See also

• List of artists who reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart
• List of current Atlantic Records artists
• List of 1970s one-hit wonders in the United States