R.I.P. Harry Williams, last original member of Bloodstone

 

(November 22, 2024) They are a legendary act that has been part of our lives for over a half century — or as they would say, “We Go A Long Way Back.” We have long celebrated the greatness of the group Bloodstone, but today we mourn the passing of founding member Harry Williams (seated center in the photo), who was the last original member still performing with the group.

Bloodstone was formed in 1962 as a Kansas City high school doo-wop group then called the Sinceres. By the time of their overseas relocation in 1971, the band consisted of Charles Love on guitar, Melvin Webb on drums, Roger Durham on percussion, Charles McCormack on bass, Williams on percussion, and Willis Draffen on guitar. The members had renamed themselves Bloodstone, and after learning to play their respective musical instruments, moved to Los Angeles, California.  

Their eponymous first album, Bloodstone, introduced the song “That’s The Way We Make Our Music” and the gold follow-up album, Natural High, gave the group its McCormick-penned signature song in the form of the title track, which reached the Top 10 on both the pop and R&B charts. Bloodstone became known for their funk/soul tracks that blended Jimi Hendrix-styled rock music with doo-wop and gospel music undertones. The groups other 1970s hits included “Never Let You Go”, “Outside Woman” and “My Little Lady”.  

Bloodstone was instrumental in the “black rock” and funk movement of the 1970s and performed with such varied acts as Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Elton John and The Impressions.  

Bloodstone achieved a comeback in the early 1980s with the album We Go a Long Way Back (1982), whose title track reached the R&B chart Top 5. A follow-up single, “Go On and Cry,” also hit the R&B top 20.

The group continued to record into the mid 1980s. Bloodstone also starred in and wrote all the music for a film entitled Train Ride To Hollywood (1975). Founding members who have died include Roger Durham in 1972, Melvin Webb in 1982, Willis Draffen in 2002, Charles Love in 2014 and Charles McCormick in 2022.

 

Since McCormick’s death Williams, Charles McCaleb and Donald Brown have continued the group, with Williams performing seated for the past several years. Bloodstone received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National R&B Music Society in 2019.

We send them our condolences to the Bloodstone family, even as we celebrate the life and career of Mr. Williams. Rest in peace.