08/19/2025
Harold Melvin and TheBlue🔵Notes 🎶🎼🎵🎤 9
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes (1954-1972) | BlackPast.org
Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes were a prominent American soul and R&B vocal group, formed in Philadelphia in 1954. The group, led by Harold Melvin, achieved significant success in the 1970s with hits like "If You Don't Know Me By Now" and "Wake Up Everybody". Melvin, known for his choreography and arranging skills, continued to perform with various iterations of the group into the 1990s.
Here is a breakdown of their career:
Early Years (1950s-1960s): The group formed in Philadelphia in the mid-1950s as "The Charlemagnes" and later became "The Blue Notes" in 1954. They released singles on various labels, with minor R&B hits like "My Hero" (1960) and "Get Out (and Let Me Cry)" (1965).
Teddy Pendergrass Era (1970-1976): Teddy Pendergrass joined the group in 1970, initially as a drummer. His powerful vocals led him to become the lead singer, and this new lineup was signed by Gamble & Huff to Philadelphia International Records in 1972.
Philadelphia International Success: Between 1972 and 1976, the group achieved significant success with numerous R&B and pop hits, including "If You Don't Know Me by Now" (1972), "The Love I Lost" (1973), and "Wake Up Everybody" (1975).
Pendergrass's Departure and Later Years: Pendergrass left in 1976 for a successful solo career. The Blue Notes continued to record but with less commercial success. Harold Melvin continued touring with different lineups until he had a stroke in 1996 and passed away on March 24, 1997.
Legacy: Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes' music remains popular and continues to be covered by other artists. Various lineups of the Blue Notes still tour as "Harold Melvin's Blue Notes". The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2007.