Thurston Harris | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 11, 1931 Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | April 14, 1990 (aged 58) Pomona, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Rhythm and blues |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 1953–1990 |
Thurston Harris (July 11, 1931 – April 14, 1990)[1][2] was an American singer and songwriter, best known for his 1957 hit "Little Bitty Pretty One".
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 1954, the Lamplighters appeared at the Tenth Cavalcade of Jazz concert at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles produced by Leon Hefflin Sr. alongside Count Basie, Louis Jordon, the Flairs, Perez Prado, Christine Kittrell, and Ruth Brown.[4]
In 1957, Harris signed as a solo artist for Aladdin Records. His former band backed him when he released his version of Bobby Day's "Little Bitty Pretty One".[5][6] It reached number 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 labels of three different colors: 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 (Aladdin 3452). Harris later recorded on Cub, Dot, Imperial, Intro, Reprise and United Artists.
Death
Harris died in his sleep of a heart attack on April 14, 1990.[7]
Cover versions
- Frankie Lymon's highest charting solo hit was a cover of "Little Bitty Pretty One", which peaked at number 58 on the US Billboard R&B chart in 1960.
- The Jackson 5 covered "Little Bitty Pretty One" on their 1972 album Lookin' Through the Windows.[8]
- UK 1980's star Shakin' Stevens covered the wild rocker "Do What You Did" on his album, Take One, in 1980.[9]
- A cover of "Runk Bunk" was one of the first songs recorded by the UK pop star Adam Faith.[10]
- The Dave Clark 5 had a UK number 24 hit with "Little Bitty Pretty One" in 1965.[11]
References
- ↑ "This date in musical history: April 14". Canoe.ca. Retrieved November 19, 2011.
- ↑ "AOL – News, Sports, Weather, Entertainment, Local & Lifestyle". Music.aol.com. January 1, 1970. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
- 1 2 Bryan Thomas. "Thurston Harris | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
- ↑ “Tenth Annual Cavalcade Offering Finest Variety At Wrigley Field June 20” Article The California Eagle June 2, 1954.
- ↑ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 92. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
- ↑ "rivingtons". Soulfulkindamusic.net. Retrieved November 19, 2011.
- ↑ "Thurston Harris; Singer of 'Over and Over'". Los Angeles Times. April 15, 1990. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
- ↑ "The Jackson 5 Lookin' Through the Windows Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
- ↑ "Shakin' Stevens Take One Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
- ↑ Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits. Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. p. 46. ISBN 0-85112-250-7.
- ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 108/9. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
External links
- Complete discography of Thurston Harris
- Thurston Harris discography at Discogs