Harold Melvin

Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox musical artist Harold James Melvin (June 25, 1939 — March 24, 1997) was an American singer. He is best known for fronting Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, who were regarded as pioneers in the Philadelphia sound of the 1970s.<ref name=":02">Template:Cite web</ref>

Biography

Melvin was born in Philadelphia on June 25, 1939.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He sang with his school friends on street corners; this group of friends then became Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref> The group would not have their first hit until the early 1970s, with "If You Don't Know Me by Now", later made famous by Simply Red. "If You Don't Know Me by Now" and "The Love I Lost" were both certified gold in the US.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Melvin fronted the Blue Notes until July 1996.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite news</ref>

Melvin had five children (two daughters and three sons) with his wife, Ovelia McDaniels.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> A 1982 automobile incident left him partially paralyzed; after a brief break he returned to live performing.<ref name=":1" /> As he planning a tour in Japan, he suffered a stroke in July 1996 that ended his career, and left him bedridden and unable to speak.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref> Melvin died on March 24, 1997, aged 57.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> His doctor, Dale Sinker, claimed that he probably died from either suffering another stroke or the long term health effects of his previous stroke.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>