Thurston Harris

Thurston Harris
Born (1931-07-11)July 11, 1931
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Died April 14, 1990(1990-04-14) (aged 58)
Pomona, California, U.S.
Genres Rock and roll, doo-wop
Occupation(s) Musician
Years active 1953–1990
Associated acts The Sharps

Thurston Harris (July 11, 1931 – April 14, 1990)[1][2] was a male American singer, popular in the early to mid-1950s.

Career

Harris first appeared on record in 1953. He was the vocalist for South Central Los Angeles R&B band the Lamplighters.[3] He remained with the band as it evolved through several name changes, from the Tenderfoots to the Sharps.

In 1957, Harris signed as a solo artist for Aladdin. His former band backed him when he released his version of Bobby Day's "Little Bitty Pretty One".[4][5] It reached #6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The track sold over one million records, achieving gold disc status.[3] The Sharps would go on to another name change to become The Rivingtons, achieving fame with the single "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow".

Unusually, "Little Bitty Pretty One" was released on three different-colored labels: purple, blue and maroon. The song appeared on the soundtracks to films or television dramas, such as Telling Lies in America, Matilda, Lipstick on Your Collar, and Christine.

Harris had a second and final hit in 1958 with "Do What You Did", which reached the Top 20. His other best known song was "Runk Bunk", recorded in 1959, and released by Aladdin Records (Aladdin 3452). Harris later recorded on Cub, Dot, Imperial, Intro, Reprise and United Artists.

Before his death, he helped start off the musical career of his grandchild LaVonna Harris ("Beautiful"), whom eventually made her own mark in the industry as an independent recording artist.

Cover versions

Death

He died of a heart attack in 1990.[3]

References

  1. "This date in musical history: April 14". Canoe.ca. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
  2. "AOL - News, Sports, Weather, Entertainment, Local & Lifestyle". Music.aol.com. 1970-01-01. Retrieved 2015-08-17.
  3. 1 2 3 Bryan Thomas. "Thurston Harris | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-08-17.
  4. Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 92. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  5. "rivingtons". Soulfulkindamusic.net. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
  6. Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits. Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. p. 46. ISBN 0-85112-250-7.

External links


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