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Former Temptations Member Dies (Rest In Peace Damon Harris)

2/19/2013

16 Comments

 
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I got word that legendary singer Damon Harris passed away a few hours ago. For those who don't know him, Damon filled the shoes of the late Eddie Kendricks in The Temptations in 1971. There's been no confirmation on the cause of death yet, but I'm assuming it was prostate cancer, which Damon had been battling since 1999. Billy Wilson of the Motown Alumni Association confirmed Damon's passing.

If you're not a Temptations fan, you should be. This is a group where every singer has a unique tone and style, yet they blend so well together and any of the five singers can take a lead. The original (or "Classic 5") lineup of The Temptations included the gravely-voiced David Ruffin, baritone Paul Williams, baritone/second tenor Otis Williams, bass singer Melvin Franklin and Eddie Kendricks singing the first tenor/falsetto parts. With their sharp outfits and graceful choreography, The Temptations were excellent showmen and considered by some to be the first "boy band."  Their harmonies were unmistakable, featuring Melvin's thunderous bass voice on the bottom with Eddie's delicate falsetto on top.


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Damon Harris posing with former Temptations lead singer, David Ruffin
Just My Imagination turned out to be Kendricks' swan song with The Temptations. For personal and professional reasons, Eddie quit the group in 1971 for a solo career. The Tempts initially replaced him with Ricky Owens, who, according to founding member Otis Williams, danced awkwardly and made a horrible debut on stage. (By this time, Otis and Melvin were the only original members remaining. Dennis Edwards replaced David Ruffin in 1968 and Richard Street previously succeeded Paul Williams).

Eddie's departure from the group is what opened the opportunity for Damon Harris to join. Born Otis Robert Harris Jr in July 1950, Damon was a huge fan of Motown while growing up. But no one had an impact on him more than Eddie Kendricks. He developed a pure falsetto singing voice that was a spot-on impersonation of his idol and sung in different vocal groups as a teenager. In 1971, Damon, who lived in Baltimore, heard from a friend that the Tempts were at a hotel in Washington and  were looking for a new tenor. Even though Washington is 45 minutes south of Baltimore, Damon made it there in 15. 

Damon auditioned for the group and was immediately well-liked by everyone but Otis, who at first spoke out against Damon out of frustration. During Damon's audition, Otis sat turned away from the frustrated 20 year-old with his chin tucked into his palm. "I didn't know whether he was going to laugh or not," said Damon. "I got mad and consequently, I sang the hell out of the song." Damon was voted into the group, where he nervously addressed everyone as "Mr. Williams," "Mr. Franklin," "Mr. Street," and "Mr. Edwards" until Otis jokingly told him to stop. (Upon joining the group, Damon decided not to use his real name because the Tempts already had a member named Otis).

It took a while for the young singer to get over his jitters. "I was shocked," he once said. "I felt undeserving. It was Eddie's position." Though the other Temptations were a decade older than him, Harris caught on well with the dance moves and blended in with the group's sound because of his uncanny impersonation of Kendricks.
Later that year, Damon debuted nicely on Take A Look Around on The Solid Rock album. Have a listen.
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The Temptations in 1972. (Richard Street, Dennis Edwards, Damon Harris, Otis Williams and Melvin Franklin).
During the live shows, Damon tore into the songs that were Eddie's trademarks, including the driving rocker Get Ready, the sweet The Way You Do The Things You Do, and the gorgeous ballad, Just My Imagination. However, Damon left his own stamp on the group during his time as a Temptation. Though he was only in The Temptations for a short time, Damon was there during times of triumph and tragedy for the group. With Damon's falsetto soaring high, The Temptations won three Grammy Awards for Papa Was A Rolling Stone. His vocals are also present on Superstar, (Remember How You Got Where You Are), Plastic Man, Love Woke Me Up This Morning, Masterpiece, and other tracks recorded by the group from 1971 until 1975. While attending Damon's wedding in 1973, the group was informed that former Temptation Paul Williams died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. There were also problems in the recording studio with Norman Whitfield and Jeffrey Bowen, who were producing hits for the Tempts but also becoming increasingly difficult to work with.

By 1975, Damon was not the sweet and easygoing guy he was when he first joined The Temptations. According to Otis Williams, Damon developed a bad attitude and talked back not just to Williams, but Motown Founder Berry Gordy, Jr. "I do not like his attitude," Berry told Otis. "You all get rid of him."  The other Tempts' patience finally ran out when Damon made arrogant statements onstage during a concert. "The change that came over him was caused by the usual thing: the inability to deal with suddenly having money and being a star," Otis said in his memoirs. "A couple times we tried to talk to him, but nothing seemed to penetrate."

For his part, Damon was shocked that the ride ended so quickly and suddenly. "I’ve only just recently learned why,” Damon said several years ago. “I always thought it was something I said to Motown’s Berry Gordy. Turns out it was a problem with Otis that I had no clue even existed. I was crushed. I kept asking myself what I was going to do now. I had a new marriage and a new son to support. I wanted to be a Temptation until I got old. I was on the top of the world and then, brutally and without warning, at 25 I was yesterday’s news.”

As new Temptation Glenn Leonard filled Damon's shoes in The Temptations, Damon joined the group Impact but they broke up after two albums that failed to make a splash. In 1978 he released his only solo album, Silk. The album consisted of breezy, light pop tracks that fit Damon's ethereal falsetto to a tee. Listen to the title track and hear it for yourself.


Note how Damon's lead vocals are delicately layered during the verses, an effect also used by Harris' former label-mates Marvin Gaye on Give It Up and Michael Jackson on Don't Stop Til You Get Enough.

During the late 1970s, Damon ran into his idol Eddie Kendricks and surprisingly found himself angry at his hero. Damon didn't hesitate to speak his mind. "I told him, 'Eddie, you should have never left the group. You took something from me as a fan.'"

Damon's father died from prostate cancer eight months after he left The Temptations. Harris discovered that he had the same condition during the late 90's and succumbed to it a few hours ago. “Look, cancer is what it is. I know my time is now very short, and I’m just thankful to have God and to be able to somehow have the care that I have,” he said in December. He was disillusioned about the possibility of death, even refusing to reach out for help from Gordy, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder or anyone else from his musical past. "I’m realistic," he said. "You can say you hope to see me here in five years, but I’m telling you I don’t expect that. I’m preparing as best as I can.” 

The parallels between Damon Harris and Eddie Kendricks are shockingly alike, but they don't end with their similar voices and success with The Temptations; at times both men had issues with Motown, Gordy, and Otis. They both bravely fought cancer until they couldn't fight it anymore. Over 30 years of chain smoking resulted in lung cancer for Kendricks. After getting a lung removed, Eddie briefly thought he beat it but the cancer had already spread to the other lung. I've read that Eddie used to educate young people on the hazards of smoking before his death. Similarly, Damon Harris founded the The Damon Harris Cancer Foundation to help spread the awareness of prostate cancer. He tells his story in the video below. 


Damon has always been my favorite successor of Eddie Kendricks in The Temptations. No disrespect to Glenn Leonard and Ron Tyson, but Damon's voice had a youthful purity to it that reminded me of a young Eddie Kendricks. His falsetto was so effortless and flowed so naturally. Damon sounded so much like Eddie that casual listeners didn't even realize Eddie was gone.

Damon once said, "I am to Eddie Kendricks what Harry Connick is to Frank Sinatra or what Sugar Ray Leonard was to Muhammad Ali. As I sing, Eddie lives." 

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Eddie Kendricks with his protege, Damon Harris.
16 Comments
RNC link
2/19/2013 04:13:27 pm

I WAS A TEMPTATIONS FAN & WILL ALL WAS BE ONE. THE FIRST TIME I HAVE SEEN THE TEMPS WAS IN 74. THE TEMPTS HAD ON LIGHT BLUE WITH BLACK TRIMINGS THE SHOW WAS GREAT. DAMON PLAYED A BIG PART IN THE GROUP. HE WAS WITH THEM ON THE GRAMMY. BIG HITS ALBUM CUTS LIVE SHOWS. I HAVE ALL THERE SONGS NOE. THEY ARE & ALWAYS BE THE BEST GRUOP & HE WILL ALWAYS BE A TEMPTATION FOR~EVER.. WORD.. REAS IN PEACE. JEST A FAN

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A.J. Dugger III link
2/20/2013 09:31:40 am

Thanks for the comment. I'm sure it was awesome to experience Damon and the other Tempts live. I saw The Temptations in 2007 when they performed in Memphis.

Damon had an interesting story and I'm glad to share it. In fact, every former Temptation has his own unique story. It's sad that so many former Temptations are no longer with us.

Thanks for reading. Feel free to share it.

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Stan link
2/22/2013 09:29:39 pm

I have been a Temps Fan, since their beginning. I was in Europe, when I first heard them. I was there when Motown started. They were the one of the best and most harmonic singing groups, of the time and since.There are no groupes like them anymore. None! R I P, to all of the members.

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jbt
2/22/2013 10:59:11 pm

so glad i followed the link to your site. i'm a former detroiter about 10 yrs younger than the 'classic 5' so i grew up with their music. i think you did a great, respectful job telling damon's story. i'd love to read a longer piece doing the same for all of them. Davie Ruffin was and will be one of my favorite voices of all times. RIP Damon and all of Detroit's Finest. Thanks for the memories.

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Jasmine B
2/23/2013 03:42:16 am

The Temptations will always be remembered as a class act, despite the troubles and struggles of the members. Although I had heard the stories of some of the other Temptations, I didn't know Damon's story until now. A touching and heartbreaking story of a kind and gentle soul. May you rest in peace Damon.

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A.J. Dugger III link
2/23/2013 04:25:41 am

Wow. Thanks for the responses guys. I wrote this an hour or so after Damon passed, but being a reporter, I wanted to present things about him that are often overlooked. I knew most of the obituaries or write-ups about him would basically say, "He's from Baltimore...he replaced Eddie Kendricks...he died." There's so much more to him than that. Damon was a great guy with a great voice. His story would make a great book.

If you browse my site you'll see my resume and celebrity interviews, including the one I did with Terron Brooks, who played EDDIE KENDRICKS in the popular Temptations miniseries. We had a great chat. You can listen at the following links. If you want to read the article I wrote about him last year for The Tennessee Tribune, check the "gallery of work samples" here on my website. It's at the top. Thanks for reading.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJsU3P4zAQE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5umdDViAWI0

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Rick T.
2/24/2013 04:44:33 pm

GREAT JOB A.J.

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michaelangelo rosario
2/25/2013 05:37:41 am

Eddie Kendricks was an icon he had the most influentially falsetto in the history of R-B and Pop music. you can go down a list of a generation of singers who came after Kendricks and they all own something to him... Ron Banks, Terry Mils, Phi Baily and Russel Tompkins just to name a few have all have been influence by elements of Eddie voice. but the singer who came the closes of really capturing his sound was Damon Harris. when you look at Ron tyson who was 35 when he join the Temptation, and Glen Leonard was 28 Damon Harris came in only 20 to 21 considering all the pressure Damon so young was under to perform at that level was truly amazing. he was almost like Magic Johnson at 20 years old playing for the lakers an playing great and winning a championship and his very first year. Damon did not have quite KENDRICK range but he was very very close. his intuition, his attack and phasing was very much in the Kendricks mode, what a great Super tenor Damon.was . for the life of me i was never able to understand how the Temps got ride of a talent like him . i had the opportunity to see him about 6 weeks after he came into the group at a small show in Dc . in the fall of 1971 . i swear i close my eyes and he sound just like kendricks his voice soar over the other four he sounded great .

kendrick the father of all falsetto/ tenors has influence a whole generation of singers. however, no has be able to completely match the full power of his vocal octave, range, diction and vocal control. Eddie set a standard in R&B and Pop music that will forever change the role of a Falsetto/ tenor. however, his replacements Glenn Leonard, and Ron Tyson both are good singers and have done an admirable job keeping with the tradition.
but they were not great they didn't have to be great, this is due in part that the Temptations weren't at the peak their of popularity i think they just came in with a care - free attitude and just rode the wave. however, i think that Dan Harris
is something special he sounded the most like Kendricks but with a slightly smoother edge in. 1971 , Damon at only 20 and under a tremendous amount of pressure and expectation did a wonderful
job taking the place of his boyhood idol
i saw the Temptations perform live about 7 or 8 times between 1971 and 2001. i heard Ron and Glenn and i just think the did;nt have Damon's fluidity,clarity dynamics and voice control.. for an example, i saw Ron in 1988 at a concert did a medley of Kendricks old song, such as '' the way you do the things you do'' and get ready'' you my everything' he sound a little off key as he sang. Damon did a similar medley and his voice just soar beautifully and effortlessly over the rest of the guys like angel.
to all your fans out there just listen to
''The Temptations live in Japan'' and you will hear how awesome Damon sounds. ''Silk'' is his self proclaim L.P and he was the silkiest falsetto since Eddie Kendrick.

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Michael
2/26/2013 09:50:00 am

@Michaelangelo, Good points but I have to disagree about Eddie's range. He was great and inspired many of the falsettos that followed him but he wasn't the best. He couldn't hit a note as high as Philip Bailey from Earth Wind and Fire.

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Michael Jefferson
1/22/2014 07:26:27 am

You are correct. There was only one man who could replace Eddie Kendricks and somehow, they found each other. Glenn and Ron pale in comparison to Damon; just a fact. Their tones are heavy and they "sat" on the harmonic tapestry of the group. Damon like Eddie was crystal clear and effortless. Their tones soared over the harmony giving it a unique and distinct sound. The Temptations trademark was the balance. Soaring top and deep, fat bass on the bottom. To me, the law of averages caught up to the Temptations. They were lucky enough to find an adequate replacement for David with Dennis Edwards and a seasoned veteran to replace Paul; Richard Street. Damon was the last great replacement. You can only go to the well so many times. Unfortunately, each replacement after 1975 was a step down. They hit rock bottom in 1979 trying to push Luis Price on us for Dennis Edwards. I am a Temptations fan til death. The magic diminished in 1975 after "A Song For You" Damon's last project.

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vicki williams link
3/21/2014 03:27:13 am

MJ...I could not agree with you more! You are so on point!

Marie Quick
2/25/2013 11:35:14 am

I enjoyed reading your story. I grew up with my father listening to the temptations. I recently came across Damon Harris on youtube and I love his voice.The Temptations Live In Paris is a must have for Damon Harris fans.His voice is heard so effortessly. Also the Impact albums and his solo album.rip damon.

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Marie Quick
2/26/2013 09:35:23 am

Im sorry I meant The Temptations Live In Japan.

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Marie Quick
2/26/2013 09:37:02 am

I wrote the wrong cd. Its Japan Im talking about.

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Ernest Battle
3/6/2013 10:05:35 am

Over the years, I saw the Temptations perform several times. I had the privilege of meeting two, Eddie Kendricks and Damon Harris and both meetings occurred at Purdue University. I have fond memories of both. With Damon, I ran into him as he was walking alone on the campus, seemingly returning to the Concert Hall after going to McDonalds. Either way, we had a chance to visit and he invited me backstage after their concert that evening. A really wonderful guy who I was honored to meet. No more suffering...just smooth sailing from now on. God Bless!!

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Ladysoul link
3/12/2018 11:18:07 pm

I am a dire hard fan of Damon Harris. I always remembered his name and being in the temptations. I am so angry that Otis Williams didn't care for Damon too much. He had some bad issues with him, and it just didn't start with what has been stated on this site. No, it started when Otis Williams didn't want Damon to join the temptations, but he did anyway.Whatever went down, Otis Williams, the temptations, and Berry Gordy, should have given Damon Harris his rightful recognition because he was a major part of their hits and other successes. They were willing to let dope addicts and alcoholics stay in their group as long as they stayed sober long enough to go to rehearsals and go on shows with them, but when things hit the fan that Paul Williams and David Ruffin weren't going to abide by Otis Williams and Berry Gordy rules, then they had to go. Double standard crap. Yet, they got rid of Harris who was none of those bad things. And that dirty dog, Otis Williams didn't want Damon to be in his group anyway. I can say this, to me, he out shined all of them when he was a temptation. And yes, even with the short years he was in that group. My God!!!! Damon Harris was the finest one out of all them and had dynamic energy than the rest of them. Otis Williams and the rest of them are drying up and are old. Let me give a shout out to my home guy. Damon Harris. I love you, Baby. Rest in peace.

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    Award-Winning Journalist A.J. Dugger III

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    A.J. Dugger is an Award-Winning Television and Print & Media Journalist.

    He appears as a crime analyst on the TV-One crime series, For My Man, and is the author of four books: Black Journals,  the horror anthology SoUtHeRn TeRrOr, the mystery crime thriller Who KILLED Joel Larson? and The Dealers: Then and Now, the sensational story of his mother and uncles' career as a funk band.

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