Thurston Harris facts for kids

Thurston Harris was an American singer and songwriter. He was born on July 11, 1931, and passed away on April 14, 1990. He is most famous for his big song, "Little Bitty Pretty One", which was a hit in 1957.

Thurston Harris's Music Career

Thurston Harris started his music journey in 1953. He was the main singer for an R&B band called the Lamplighters. This band was from South Central Los Angeles.

The band changed its name a few times. It became the Tenderfoots and then the Sharps. In 1954, the Lamplighters performed at a big concert. It was called the Tenth Cavalcade of Jazz. They played at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles. Other famous artists like Count Basie and Louis Jordon were also there.

Becoming a Solo Star

In 1957, Thurston Harris began singing on his own. He signed with Aladdin Records. His old band, the Sharps, helped him out. They sang backup when he released his version of "Little Bitty Pretty One". This song was first sung by Bobby Day.

Harris's version of "Little Bitty Pretty One" was a huge success. It reached number 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. Over one million copies of the song were sold. This earned him a special "gold disc" award.

After working with Harris, the Sharps changed their name again. They became The Rivingtons. They later became famous for their own song, "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow".

The Unique Song Release

"Little Bitty Pretty One" was released in a special way. It came out on records with three different colors: purple, blue, and maroon. The song was also used in many movies and TV shows. Some of these include Matilda and Christine.

In 1958, Harris had another popular song. It was called "Do What You Did". This song made it into the Top 20 hits. Another well-known song by him was "Runk Bunk", recorded in 1959. Thurston Harris also recorded music with other record companies. These included Cub, Dot, and Imperial.

Thurston Harris's Passing

Thurston Harris passed away on April 14, 1990. He died peacefully in his sleep from a heart attack.

Famous Cover Songs

Many artists have sung their own versions of Thurston Harris's songs.

• Frankie Lymon sang "Little Bitty Pretty One" in 1960. It was his highest-charting solo song.
• The Jackson 5 included "Little Bitty Pretty One" on their 1972 album, Lookin' Through the Windows.
• In 1980, UK star Shakin' Stevens covered "Do What You Did" on his album, Take One!.
• One of the first songs recorded by UK pop star Adam Faith was a cover of "Runk Bunk".
• The Dave Clark 5 had a hit with "Little Bitty Pretty One" in the UK in 1965.