Don "Sugarcane" Harris
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Don "Sugarcane" Harris (June 19, 1938 - November 30 (or December 1), 1999) was an American rock & 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", "Leavin' It All Up to you", and "Big Boy Pete," all of which became hits for other artists.
At some point in his career, Harris was given the nickname "Sugarcane" by LA 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 was to reappear as a sideman with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers and Frank Zappa, most recognized for his appearances on the Mothers of Invention albums Hot Rats, 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 the former and his extended solo on the lengthy "Little House I Used To Live In" on the latter are considered highlights of those albums.
Harris's struggles with substance abuse were to lead to his becoming erratic, not so much as a performer while on stage, but as a person whom it became increasing difficult to get on stage.
During the early 1970's, Sugarcane fronted the Pure Food and Drug Act (band) which included drummer Paul Lagos, guitarists Harvey Mandel and Randy Resnick, and bassist Victor Conte who ironically was the founder of Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative (BALCO).
In the 1980's, Sugarcane was a member of the Los Angeles-based experimental rock band Tupelo Chain Sex.
Don passed away on November 30, 1999.
