From:   Flippar 
Date:  Sun Jan 6, 2002  6:04 am
Subject:  Born To Be With You -Wilbert Harrison
 
WILBERT HARRISON
Born January 6th 1929, in Charlotte, N Carolina
Died Oct 26th 1994, Spencer, N Carolina

In 1953 Wilbert won a talent show in Miami singing Mule Train, he then
recorded for several small labels in Miami like Glades, Rockin and De Luxe
before moving north to New York where he recorded for Savoy and Fury. Despite
using top session players like Mickey Baker, Panama Francis and Sam Taylor on
the Savoy sides, success eluded him until February 1959 when he cut a version
of the old Leiber and Stoller classic Kansas City (aka K C Loving, by Little
Willie Littlefield on Federal in 1952) with the great Jimmy Spruill on lead
guitar ( ah Moustache!).

Bobby Robinson`s Fury label session at Bell Sound Studios cost around $40. No
sooner had it begun to create a stir on the airwaves a plethora of cover
versions appeared all over the place by Hank Ballard, Rockin Ronald, Rocky
Olson and even revivals of Messers Little Richard and Littlefield hit the
stores.

However by May 18th 1959 Wilbert`s infectious groove had the numero uno slot
in the Billboard Hot 100. Robinson was sued by Savoy`s Herman Lubinsky who
claimed Wilbert was still signed to him! By the time the flying law suits
ended Wilbert had lost the momentum created by his million seller. Despite
working with Spruill and King Curtis in the studio, (and later as a one man
band), he looked like being a one hit wonder until 1969 when he cut Let`s
Work Together pts 1 & 2 for Sue (originally called Let`s Stick Together on
the Fury 62 version) and it reached the top 40, spawning a hit cover by
Canned Heat and later on Bryan Ferry (which probably earned him more money
than Sue/Fury royalties put together). Incidentally the Beatles cover of
KansasCity in 1965 also lead to Little Richard getting some unexpected back
royalties years later, when someone spotted the finale included chunks of
Richard`s Hey Hey Hey Hey.

After retiring from music Wilbert died back home in Spencer North Carolina on
Oct 26 1994, having shaken up the musical world on two memorable occasions
and leaving behind a plethora of styles for many labels, Ahhh Moustache
indeed!

Recommended Listening
Kansas City, Legendary Golden Classics - Collectables cd
Lovin` Operator - Charly lp