R&B

Died On This Date (November 9, 2012) Major Harris / Philly Soul Singer

Major Harris
February 9, 1947 -November 9, 2012

Major Harris was a singer of what is commonly referred to as Philly Soul.  Born into a musical family in Richmond, Virginia, Harris learned from his father, a guitarist, and his mother, a singer.  He began his career singing in such vocal groups as the Charmers, the Jarmels, and the Teenagers.  By the early ’70s, Harris was singing in the Delfonics, replacing Randy Cain.  In 1974, he left the Delfonics to pursue a solo career.  That first year, he scored a moderate disco hit with “Each Morning I Wake Up,” and the following year, he hit big with “Love Won’t Let Me Wait” which shot to #1 on the R&B charts and #5 on the pop charts.  The single was certified Gold in the US.  In later years, Harris rejoined the Delfonics who toured the oldies and Northern Soul circuits throughout the ’90s and 2000s.  Major Harris passed away from congestive heart and lung failure on November 9, 2012.  He was 65.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

My Way - Major Harris

Died On This Date (November 7, 2012) Cleve Duncan / The Penguins; Sang “Earth Angel”

Cleve Duncan
 July 23, 1935 – November 7, 2012

Cleve Duncan was a founding member of popular 50’s doo-wop group, the Penguins.  Formed with Curtis Williams, Dexter Tisby, and Bruce Tate while Duncan was still in high school, the group released its first record on Dootone Records in 1954.  The single was “Hey Senorita” with the Duncan-sung “Earth Angel” sitting on its b-side.  But when an unknown disc jockey flipped the 45 over and played “Earth Angel,” the phones lit up and other radio stations soon followed suit.  In the early weeks of 1955, the record hit #1 on the pop charts and stayed there for three weeks.  Years later, Frank Zappa had Duncan reprise the popular chorus on his record, “Memories Of El Monte.”  The Penguins’ only other hit came with “Pledge of Love” in 1957. That record peaked at #15 on the R&B chart.  The group broke up on in 1962, but Duncan continued on with various incarnations well into the 2000s.  The Penguins were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.  On November 7, 2012, Cleve Duncan, 77, reportedly died unexpectedly while casting his vote in the Presidential Election  Cause of death was not immediately release.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

The Penguins

Died On This Date (October 26, 2012) Natina Reed / American Rapper & Singer; Member of Blaque

Natina Reed
October 28, 1979 – October 26, 2012

Natina Reed was a Queens, New York born singer and rapper who is best remembered as one-third of the popular R&B singing group, Blaque.  Formed in 1999, the group, which also included Shamari Fears and ultimately, Brandi Williams, the group caught the ear of TLC’s Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes who signed them to a production deal.  Lopes became a mentor to Reed.  Blaque went on to release three albums with Reed contributing her raps to hits like “Bring It All To Me,” “Can’t Get It Back,” and “808.”  In all, the group charted five singles in the US through 2004 when the group split up after Reed joined a ministry.  Reed reunited with Blaque in later years, while Reed dabbled in acting.  She also began work on a solo album.  On October 26, 2012, Reed was struck and killed by a vehicle as she walked across a street near her home.  Early reports indicate that it was an accident, and that the drivers of the vehicle cooperated with the police.  No charges were initially filed.  Natina Reed was  32 when she passed away.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus at the Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Blaque

Died On This Date (September 27, 2012) R. B. Greaves / Had Hit With “Take A Letter Maria”

Ronald “R.B.” Greaves
November 28, 1943 – September 27, 2012

R.B. Greaves was an American singer whose biggest hit came in 1969 with “Take A Letter Maria.”  Born on an American Air Force base in Guyana – and a cousin of Sam Cooke, Greaves grew up on an Indian Reservation back in the US.  To further his career, Greaves eventually moved to England where he performed under the name of Sonny Childe in his band, the TNTs.  During the late ’60s, he wrote “Take A Letter Maria” which was initially recorded by both Stevie Wonder and Tom Jones.  In 1969, Greaves recorded it under his own name and released it on Atco Records.  The song shot to #2 on the Billboard singles chart and went on to sell well over two million copies by the end of 1970.  Greaves followed that with a series of covers that also charted. That list includes “Always Something There To Remind Me” and “Whiter Shade Of Pale.”  R.B. Greaves was 68 when he passed away on September 27, 2012.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus at Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

R.B. Greaves - R.B. Greaves

Died On This Date (September 15, 2012) James “Sugar Boy” Crawford / New Orleans R&B Great

James “Sugar Boy” Crawford
October 12, 1934 – September 15, 2012

James “Sugar Boy” Crawford was a New Orleans R&B musician who, in 1953, wrote a song called “Jock-A-Moe,” which eventually morphed into “Iko-Iko,” one of the Crescent City’s most beloved standards.  As a singer, trombonist, and later, pianist, Crawford began performing around 1950 when he formed the Chapaka Shawee with Doctor Daddy-O. The great Leonard Chess signed him to his Chess Records and changed their name to Sugar Boy & his Cane Cutters.  In 1965, the Dixie Cups released “Iko-Iko” which sounded enough like “Jock-A-Moe,” that Crawford was eventually awarded 25% ownership.  “Iko Iko” went on to become one of the most popular songs to come out of New Orleans and could be heard in countless movies and television shows.  It has been covered by the likes of the Grateful Dead, Cyndi Lauper, Warren Zevon and Dave Matthews.  In 1963, Crawford was pistol-whipped by the police to the point that he was laid up for two years.  The beating put him into a coma and resulted in a metal plate replacing much of his skull.  When he awoke, he had lost most of his memory and motor skills which took the best of two years to re-learn.  He retired from the music business until 1969 when he returned to singing in his church only.  Crawford resurfaced during the mid ’90s to perform on his grandson, Davell Crawford’s, album and made occasional appearances at  New Orleans festivals well into the 2000s.   James “Sugar Boy” Crawford was 77 when he passed away in hospice care on September 15, 2012.

 Thanks to Henk de Bruin for the assist.