Trinity: Rebert Harris gravesite

Rebert Harris, often known as R.H. Harris, was an influential gospel singer and a pioneer of the gospel quartet singing style. He is best known for his work as the lead vocalist of the Soul Stirrers, one of the most important and influential gospel groups in history.

Birth and Early Life:

Harris was born March 23, 1916, in Trinity, Texas. He grew up in a deeply religious family, where he was exposed to church music from an early age. As a result, his early singing experiences were shaped by the spirituals and hymns he heard in church.

Musical Style and Innovations:

Rebert Harris is credited with transforming gospel quartet singing. He introduced a more emotional, expressive style of singing that emphasized vocal improvisation. This technique, known as “swing lead,” featured the lead singer ad libbing and adding personal flourishes to the melody.

His style involved a smooth, almost falsetto voice, and he was known for his ability to deliver powerful, moving performances that deeply resonated with audiences.

The Soul Stirrers Years:

In 1937, R.H. Harris joined The Soul Stirrers, a group that formed in 1926. Under his leadership, the group became one of the most popular and influential gospel quartets of the time.

Harris’s tenure with the group marked a period of significant innovation. He helped to create a new, more modern sound in gospel music, which included more complex harmonies and dynamic arrangements.

The Soul Stirrers’ success during this time helped to lay the groundwork for the crossover success of gospel music into the mainstream.

Influence on Other Artists:

Rebert Harris was a major influence on future generations of gospel and secular singers. His style directly influenced Sam Cooke, who replaced Harris as the lead singer of The Soul Stirrers when Harris left the group in 1950.

Cooke, who later became a legendary soul singer, adopted many of Harris’s vocal techniques, helping to bring gospel music’s emotional depth into the secular music world.

Later Life and Legacy:

After leaving The Soul Stirrers, Harris formed other gospel groups, including the Christland Singers, and continued to perform, though he never achieved the same level of fame as during his time with The Soul Stirrers.

Harris’s contributions to gospel music were recognized by the music community, and he was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 as a member of The Soul Stirrers.

Death:

Rebert H. Harris died on Sept. 3, 2000, leaving a legacy as one of gospel music’s most important figures. He is buried in Trinity Black Cemetery.

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