Major Harris of The Delfonics Dies at 65

Today we pay tribute to a pioneer of soul. From eonline.com:

Major Harris, the R&B singer who helped pioneer the sweeping sounds of Philadelphia soul during the 1970s as a member of the Delfonics before achieving fame as a solo artist in his own right, has died. He was 65.

Per published reports, Harris passed away Friday morning at a Richmond, Va., hospital from congestive heart and lung failure.

The Delfonics’ didn’t quite achieve the worldwide notoriety that groups like The Temptations enjoyed, but their hits are undeniable classics. “Ready or Not Here I Come (Can’t Hide from Love),” “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time),” “La-La (Means I Love You)” are some of the best songs of the late 1960s/early 1970s.

Harris achieved a bit of solo success too, with his most notable hit, “Love Won’t Let Me Wait.”

I think Harris’ greatest claim to fame will be how he influenced a generation of music fans – fans that grew up to become some of hip hop’s biggest stars. You don’t have to look far to see The Delfonics’ influence in their work.

Sit back and enjoy just a few of my favorite hip-hop tracks that were fueled by The Delfonics’ sound. Major Harris definitely pioneered soul, but he’s a hip-hop pioneer as well.