Sugarcane Harris
| Don "Sugarcane" Harris | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Don Francis Bowman Harris |
| Born |
June 18, 1938 Pasadena, California, United States |
| Died | November 30, 1999 (aged 61) Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genres | Rock and roll, R&B, jazz fusion |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Vocals, electric violin, violin, guitar, organ |
| Years active | 1960s - 1999 |
| Labels | Specialty |
| Associated acts | Don and Dewey, Tupelo Chain Sex, Frank Zappa, Johnny Otis, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Pure Food and Drug Act |
| Website | Sugarcane Harris.com |
Don Francis Bowman "Sugarcane" Harris (June 18, 1938 – November 30, 1999) was an American rock and roll violinist and guitarist.
Harris was born and raised in Pasadena, California, and started an act called Don and Dewey with his childhood friend Dewey Terry in the mid 1950s. Although they were recorded by Art Rupe on his Specialty label, mostly utilizing the services of legendary drummer Earl Palmer, Don and Dewey didn't have any hits. However, Harris and Terry co-authored such early rock and roll classics as "Farmer John", "Justine", "I'm Leaving It Up to You", and "Big Boy Pete," all of which became hits for other artists.
Harris was given the nickname "Sugarcane" by bandleader Johnny Otis and it was to remain with him throughout his life.
After separating from Dewey Terry in the 1960s, Harris moved almost exclusively over to the electric violin. He was to reappear as a sideman with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers and Frank Zappa, most recognized for his appearances on Hot Rats, and on the Mothers of Invention albums Burnt Weeny Sandwich and Weasels Ripped My Flesh. His lead vocal and blues violin solo on a cover of Little Richard's "Directly From My Heart to You" on Weasels, and his extended solo on the lengthy "Little House I Used To Live In" on Weeny are considered highlights of those albums. Reportedly, he was rescued from a jail term by Zappa. Zappa had long admired Harris's playing and bailed him out of prison, resurrecting his career and ushering in a long period of creativity for the forgotten violin virtuoso. He played a couple of live concerts with Zappa's band in 1969.
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