Performance · Production
Norman Harris
real name Norman Ray Harris
Norman Harris is credited on 3,387 releases across 834 albums tracked on Gatefold, active 1956–2026 — the collector-built map of who actually made the music.
3,387
Credits
834
Albums
8
Decades active
296
In collections
Biography
Showing the Discogs bio
Norman Ray Harris (October 14, 1947 – March 20, 1987) was an American guitarist, producer, music arranger and songwriter, One of the seminal figures of the “Philly Sound”.
Norman Harris can be heard on countless Philly soul sessions of the '60s, '70s, and '80s. He was the founding member of MFSB, the rhythm/strings/horns aggregation that was the house band for Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International label. Beside fellow MFSB members drummer Earl Young and bassist Ron Baker, Harris' frequent songwriting partners were Allan Felder and Bunny Sigler. He came up with his unique string and horn arrangements by composing the parts on his guitar.
He produced hits for First Choice, Eddie Holman, the Salsoul Orchestra, and Love Committee on Salsoul Records, as well as Atlantic Records act the Trammps.
Norman also had hits with Gloria Gaynor ('Honey Bee'), the Delfonics ('La La Means I Love You,' 'Didn't I Blow Your Mind'), Jerry Butler ('Hey Western Union Man,' 'Only the Strong Survive'), The Trammps ('Disco Inferno'), Blue Magic ('Sideshow'), Wilson Pickett ('Engine Number 9,' 'Don't Let the Green Grass Fool You'), Loleatta Holloway ('Hit and Run'), Joe Simon ( 'Drowning in the Sea of Love,' 'Power of Love'), and the Spinners ('I'll Be Around,' 'Could It Be I'm Falling in Love') amongst many others. He also worked alongside Allan Felder and Bunny Sigler ('Keep Smilin').
In 2016, Harris was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.
His cousin is guitarist Dennis Harris.
Cousin of Major Harris and Joseph Jefferson.
Bio from Discogs
Credited work
3,387 releases · 834 albums · active 1956–2026
- Performance · 5,361
- Production · 1,326
- Other credits · 49
- Engineering · 18
Studios: Sigma Sound Studios · Mediasound · Curtom Studios · Blank Tape Studios
Discography
Records they worked on — most-collected first.

The Documentary
2005

Back Stabbers
1972

Like Water For Chocolate
2000

The Massacre
2005

The Fall-Off
2026

Laugh To Keep From Crying
2019

The Lost Tapes
2002

Wake Up Everybody
1975

I Will Always Love You: The Best Of Whitney Houston
2012

Ship Ahoy
1973

Live
1977

Spinners
1973

Johnny Winter
1969

360 Degrees Of Billy Paul
1972

The Stylistics
1971

Tryin' To Get The Feeling
1975

Family Reunion
1975

To Know You Is To Love You
1973

The Three Degrees
1973

Come Home With Me
2002

Heat Treatment
1976

Never Can Say Goodbye
1975

Black & Blue Featuring: The Love I Lost
1973

Round 2
1972
Frequent collaborators
Around the web
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