Major Harris III (February 9, 1947 – November 9, 2012) 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. Early in his career, Harris sang with groups such as the Charmers, the Teenagers, the Jarmels, 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. 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", which peaked at #5 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, #1 on the US RnB 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. 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. After the Delfonics disbanded in 1975, members Wilbert Hart and William Hart both created their own Delfonics with new members. Harris performed with the Delfonics featuring Wilbert until around 1980 when he joined Williams' Delfonics, and continued to tour with either one of the 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. Harris died in a Richmond, Virginia, hospital from congestive heart and lung failure on November 9, 2012 at the age of 65. His brother, Joseph B. Jefferson, died of cancer on July 26, 2020 aged 77.

Discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

Singles