Vocalist Otis ‘Damon’ Harris started out singing in local groups the Tempros (with backing band the Capris), the Shades Formation, and the popular R&B vocal group the Vandals.
In 1971 he traveled to D.C. to audition for Motown’s Temptations, and was chosen to replace the departed Eddie Kendricks. Harris sang with the Temptations from 1971-1975. Hits during that time included “Papa Was a Rolling Stone”, “Masterpiece”, “The Plastic Man”, “Happy People”, Shakey Ground”… With Harris the group had 11 Top-10 R&B hits in a row, including four chart toppers. During this tenure they earned nine gold records, three Grammy Awards, and two American Music Awards.
In 1975 Harris returned to Baltimore and re-formed the original Vandals. They became known as Impact (see bio).
Damon next released a solo album in 1978 and his single “It’s Music” reached the national R&B charts in early 1979.
After the solo album Damon went back to school to study pre-law and majored in music, attending Temple University, then the University of Nevada. He worked in Las Vegas for a short time with a production called “American Super Stars,” while also touring with a Temptations group in Europe.
Meanwhile Damon was diagnosed with prostate cancer and his outlook was not good. In 2009, eleven years have passed since his dire prognosis. To lift his sprits, Damon followed his desire to stay focused on his music. He also started the Damon Harris Cancer Foundation, a charitable non-profit organization, whose mission is to promote awareness, educate and support prostate cancer survivors, their spouses, partners, family members and all men about the issues related to prostate cancer. “I am determined to make a difference. I want to be remembered for something more than some musical memories. I want to help men learn more about prostate cancer, and emphasize to African American men that they are at even greater risk for this disease than their white counterparts. I want them to understand how important it is to get an annual PSA test by the time they are 40.”
Update: After a 14-year battle with cancer Damon passed away at the Joseph Richey Hospice in Baltimore February 18, 2013 at the age of 62.
1978(LP) WMOT 9567 Damon
1979 WMOT D-111 It’s Music / Silk
