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Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes

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Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
Company typeVocal ensemble
IndustryMusic
Founded1954 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
FounderHarold Melvin
Headquarters
Philadelphia
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsSoul, R&B, doo-wop, disco music

Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes were a notable American soul and R&B vocal ensemble that gained prominence in the 1970s within the Philadelphia soul movement. Their musical style incorporated elements of soul, R&B, doo-wop, and disco. Originating in Philadelphia during the mid-1950s under the name The Charlemagnes, the group achieved widespread acclaim through their releases on Gamble and Huff's Philadelphia International label from 1972 to 1976. While Harold Melvin founded the group and served as lead vocalist, Teddy Pendergrass emerged as their most distinguished member during their height of success. The Blue Notes reunited for performances on Soul Train Cruises in 2013, 2015, and 2017.

Formation and Early Period

Initially called The Charlemagnes, the ensemble adopted the name "The Blue Notes" in 1954. The lineup at that time included lead singer Franklin Peaker, Bernard Williams, Roosevelt Brodie, Jesse Gillis Jr., alongside Harold Melvin. Throughout the 1960s, they recorded with various labels but did not achieve significant commercial success. Their 1960 release "My Hero" on Val-ue Records attained modest recognition, while "Get Out (and Let Me Cry)" in 1965 charted under Landa Records. The group experienced multiple personnel changes; Bernard Williams departed to establish "The Original Blue Notes," leading Melvin to recruit John Atkins as the new lead vocalist. In 1970, Teddy Pendergrass joined initially as a drummer before ascending to lead singer after Atkins' exit that same year.

Philadelphia International Era and Teddy Pendergrass’s Prominence

This lineup—comprising Melvin, Pendergrass, Bernard Wilson, Lawrence Brown, and Lloyd Parks—secured a contract with Gamble & Huff’s Philadelphia International label in 1972. That year saw Jerry Cummings replace Lloyd Parks. Soon thereafter, the Blue Notes attained significant R&B and pop chart success with multiple million-selling singles and albums over a four-year span. Noteworthy tracks include romantic ballads such as 1972’s "If You Don't Know Me by Now" (No. 1 on Billboard R&B charts and No. 3 on pop charts), "I Miss You" (No. 7 R&B), "The Love I Lost" (No. 1 R&B, No. 7 pop in 1973), alongside socially aware songs like "Wake Up Everybody" (No. 1 R&B, No. 12 pop) and "Bad Luck" (No. 4 R&B, No. 15 pop) released in 1975. The single "If You Don't Know Me By Now" achieved sales exceeding one million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA. Additionally, "Bad Luck" holds the distinction of being the longest-running number-one track on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart with an eleven-week tenure. Another chart-topping R&B hit was the 1975 release "Hope That We Can Be Together Soon," featuring guest vocalist Sharon Paige.

In 1976, the song "Don't Leave Me This Way", written by Gamble and Huff, reached number one on US pop charts when performed by Motown artist Thelma Houston. Although The Blue Notes’ original version from Wake Up Everybody was not initially released as a single in the United States, it became their highest-charting UK single at number five in 1977. The track was eventually issued as a US single in 1979 alongside "Bad Luck." During their tenure with Philadelphia International, the group produced four albums certified gold, including To Be True (which reached number 26 on Billboard Top 40) and Wake Up Everybody (peaking at number nine), both released in 1975. Both Wake Up Everybody and their greatest hits collection Collector's Item from 1976 have surpassed one million copies sold each.

Despite their commercial achievements, frequent changes affected the Blue Notes’ roster. In 1972, Jerry Cummings replaced Lloyd Parks while Sharon Paige was brought in for solo vocal features. At their zenith in 1976, Teddy Pendergrass departed following disputes regarding compensation. A year prior to his exit, he had been officially credited with the group’s name updated to "Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes featuring Theodore Pendergrass," beginning with the To Be True album. Pendergrass then embarked on a successful solo path with four consecutive albums selling over one million copies each under Philadelphia International between 1977 and 1981. After suffering a debilitating car accident in 1982 that nearly ended his career, he staged a comeback by signing with Asylum/Elektra Records, releasing acclaimed albums including Love Language and the platinum-certified Joy in 1988—featuring an R&B number-one title track nominated for a Grammy Award. His resurgence was highlighted by a performance at Live Aid in 1985.

Post Pendergrass era

Following Pendergrass's departure, Melvin brought in David Ebo as the new lead vocalist. The Blue Notes parted ways with Philadelphia International Records, where Pendergrass had pursued his solo career, and signed with ABC Records in 1977. Under Melvin's leadership, they released two albums through ABC. Their final significant charting single was "Reaching for the World," which reached number 7 on the R&B charts and number 74 on the pop charts. In 1980, Harold Melvin, Jerry Cummings, Dwight Johnson, David Ebo, and William Spratley collaborated on The Blue Album, issued by Source Records, a label under MCA Records following MCA's acquisition of ABC in 1979. The group’s last album with MCA, All Things Happen in Time, was released in 1981.

In 1982, Gil Saunders took over as lead singer from Ebo. During Saunders' tenure, the band achieved recognition in the UK with the Philly World release Talk It Up (Tell Everybody) and singles including "Today's Your Lucky Day" and "Don't Give Me Up." Several hits from the Pendergrass period were re-recorded featuring Saunders for the UK market. Saunders departed in 1992; Melvin continued touring with various lineups of the Blue Notes until he suffered a stroke in 1996.

Harold Melvin passed away on March 24, 1997, at age 57 and was interred at Ivy Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia. Lawrence Brown died on April 6, 2008, aged 63. In 2010, three former members died: Teddy Pendergrass succumbed to respiratory failure on January 13 at age 59 after battling colon cancer; Roosevelt Brodie passed away on July 13 at age 75 due to diabetes complications; Bernard Wilson died on December 26 at age 64 from stroke and heart attack-related issues. Earlier members John Atkins and David Ebo died in 1998 and 1993 respectively; Sharon Paige’s death was reported in July 2020; Gil Saunders passed away on February 4, 2021.

Currently, Lloyd Parks, Jerry Cummings, and Bobby Cook are the only surviving members of the Blue Notes.

Legacy

The music of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes has been covered by numerous artists including David Ruffin, Simply Red, Jimmy Somerville, Sybil, the Three Degrees, and John Legend. DJ Danny Rampling has cited "Wake Up Everybody" as his favorite track. Gil Saunders continued his career as a solo artist performing both classic Blue Notes songs and original material. Various incarnations of the group still perform under the name "Harold Melvin's Blue Notes," currently managed by Melvin’s widow Ovelia and featuring lead vocalist Donnell "Big Daddy" Gillespie alongside Anthony Brooks, Rufus Thorne, and John Morris.

In a controversial move, singer Neil Young named his backing band the Blue Notes for his album This Note's for You without obtaining permission from Melvin. This led to legal proceedings that compelled Young to rename his band "Ten Men Workin'" during the subsequent tour.

The group is referenced in Snoop Dogg’s 1993 album Doggystyle, where Snoop likens achieving success without him to being "Harold Melvin without the Blue Notes." Former member Jerry Cummings became an ordained minister and declined opportunities to establish Jerry Cummings' Blue Notes; instead, he pursued a career as a music coach and producer for X Factor winner Lillie McCloud. Rapper Big Boi sampled "I Miss You" on his track "Shine Blockas," featuring Gucci Mane; this same sample was used by Kanye West on Jay-Z’s song "This Can't Be Life," which features Beanie Sigel and Scarface. Additionally, R&B artist Pleasure P incorporated "I Miss You" into his 2013 release "Letter to My Ex."

In recognition of their contributions to music, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2007.

External links

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