February 23, 2013 15:24

The Temptations singer Damon Harris dies aged 62

'Papa Was A Rollin' Stone' singer died on Monday (February 18) after battling prostate cancer

Photo: Redferns

The Temptations singer Damon Harris has died aged 62.

Harris, a one-time member of the Motown group The Temptations, died on Monday (February 18) at the Joseph Richey Hospice after finally losing his 14-year battle with prostate cancer, reports the Baltimore Sun.

Otis 'Damon' Harris, who was born in Baltimore in 1950, joined the legendary Motown group in 1971 at the age of 21 after the departure of original band member Eddie Kendricks. Harris took over lead singer and sang on their hit song, 'Papa Was A Rollin' Stone'.

The singer went on to win three Grammy awards with the Temptations, lending his distinctive voice to many of their hits including 'Love Woke Me Up This Morning', 'Take A Look Around' and 'Masterpiece'.

Harris' prolific run with the group came to an abrupt end in 1975 when he was fired. According to original member Otis Williams, Harris was fired from the band for making inappropriate statements that affected the group's public image.

Following his departure from The Temptations, Harris reformed his former band The Young Vandals, renaming themselves Impact, and recorded a number of minor soul and disco hits including 'Happy Man' and US Number Five hit 'Give A Broken Heart A Break'.

Since being diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 47, Harris has devoted the last 14 years of his life to raising awareness for the disease. In 2001 he set up The Damon Harris Cancer Foundation.

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