Harvey Scales
Encyclopedia
Harvey Scales is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and producer. Scales has been active in the music industry since the 1960s, and has composed songs for groups with a long standing history in the industry as well such as The Dells
, The Dramatics
, and The O'Jays
. Once called Milwaukee's "Godfather of Soul" by a local reporter, Scales credits James Brown
and the sound of "funk" for influencing his music career.
Scales was well known in his home town of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
, before his big break as a national songwriter. Known as "Twistin' Harvey" in the early 1960s by local fans, Scales, an Osceola, Arkansas
native, grew up in Milwaukee and attended Roosevelt Middle and North Division High School
. Together he and his long time friend, Al Vance (1943–2003), formed the group, Harvey Scales and the Seven Sounds, which had several releases.
Scales is notable as being the co-writer of "Love-Itis", a 1968 release by Howard Scales and The Seven Sounds, which later was covered and was a hit for the Canadian band Mandala in 1968, and the J. Geils Band
in 1975. The song was also covered by The Sonics
.
Scales received national recognition for co-writing Billboard Hot 100
chart-topping single for Johnnie Taylor
titled, "Disco Lady
". "Disco Lady" was the very first platinum single in the history of the Recording Industry Association of America
, selling over two million copies. It was certified platinum on April 22, 1976. Scales is the first African American
song writer to receive this status, which is not surprising as it was the first platinum single awarded. Scales also co-wrote the song "I Can Do Bad All by Myself"—recorded by Jesse James—with Johnny Mills, also of Milwaukee. He has written most of the songs on his albums—from the 1978 release of Confidential Affairs to the 1997 Somebody Else's Somebody.
He performs at venues throughout the United States
, including his hometown of Milwaukee at popular events such as Summerfest
, the Wisconsin State Fair Park
, and the African World Festival.
His son, Harvey Jr., better known as "Scalez" (formerly "JR Da Supastar"), is a rapper based in Milwaukee. Harvey's godson, Robert Buchanan, Jr. is a music producer and singer, better known as "Kristopher Lloyd". Robert, who is based out of Atlanta will have future collaborations with Harvey Scales on upcoming projects.
Also his other son David "goes by Vela" is an up and coming artist in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and sometimes joins his dad onstage.
He also released singles on Cadet Concept, Chess, Mercury, Stax
, & Casablanca
The Dells
The Dells are an R&B and crossover musical group. Their successful recordings spanned more than four decades. Formed in 1952 after attending high school together, the Dells' repertoire has included doo-wop, jazz, soul, disco and contemporary rhythm and blues...
, The Dramatics
The Dramatics
The Dramatics are an American soul music vocal group, formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1962. They are best known for their 1970s hit songs "In the Rain" and "Whatcha See is Whatcha Get", both of which were #1 R&B and Top 10 Pop hits.-Career:The Dramatics originally formed in 1962 recording as the...
, and The O'Jays
The O'Jays
The O'Jays are an American R&B group from Canton, Ohio, formed in 1963 and originally consisting of Eddie Levert , Walter Williams , William Powell , Bobby Massey and Bill Isles. The O'Jays were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004, and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005...
. Once called Milwaukee's "Godfather of Soul" by a local reporter, Scales credits James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
and the sound of "funk" for influencing his music career.
Scales was well known in his home town of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, before his big break as a national songwriter. Known as "Twistin' Harvey" in the early 1960s by local fans, Scales, an Osceola, Arkansas
Osceola, Arkansas
-Notable natives & residents:* Bill Alexander, U.S. Representative from First Congressional District, 1969–1993* David Barrett, New York Jets cornerback* Maurice Carthon, former NFL and USFL player and NFL assistant coach...
native, grew up in Milwaukee and attended Roosevelt Middle and North Division High School
North Division High School (Milwaukee)
North Division High School was one of the major public high schools in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, part of the Milwaukee Public Schools...
. Together he and his long time friend, Al Vance (1943–2003), formed the group, Harvey Scales and the Seven Sounds, which had several releases.
Scales is notable as being the co-writer of "Love-Itis", a 1968 release by Howard Scales and The Seven Sounds, which later was covered and was a hit for the Canadian band Mandala in 1968, and the J. Geils Band
J. Geils Band
The J. Geils Band is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Worcester, Massachusetts, best known for its 1981 single, "Centerfold" which charted #1 in the U.S. in early 1982. The band played R&B-influenced blues-rock in the 1970s before moving towards a more pop-influenced sound in the 1980s...
in 1975. The song was also covered by The Sonics
The Sonics
The Sonics are an American garage rock band from Tacoma, Washington, originating from the early and mid-1960s. Among The Sonics' contemporaries were The Kingsmen, The Wailers, The Dynamics, The Regents, and Paul Revere & the Raiders...
.
Scales received national recognition for co-writing Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart-topping single for Johnnie Taylor
Johnnie Taylor
Johnnie Harrison Taylor was an American vocalist in a wide variety of genres, from rhythm and blues, soul, blues and gospel to pop, doo-wop and disco.-Early years:...
titled, "Disco Lady
Disco Lady
"Disco Lady" is a 1976 single for Johnnie Taylor that went on to become his biggest hit. It spent four weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and six weeks on the Billboard R&B chart in the U.S. It was also the first single to be certified platinum by the RIAA...
". "Disco Lady" was the very first platinum single in the history of the Recording Industry Association of America
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
, selling over two million copies. It was certified platinum on April 22, 1976. Scales is the first African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
song writer to receive this status, which is not surprising as it was the first platinum single awarded. Scales also co-wrote the song "I Can Do Bad All by Myself"—recorded by Jesse James—with Johnny Mills, also of Milwaukee. He has written most of the songs on his albums—from the 1978 release of Confidential Affairs to the 1997 Somebody Else's Somebody.
He performs at venues throughout the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, including his hometown of Milwaukee at popular events such as Summerfest
Summerfest
Summerfest is a yearly music festival held at the Henry Maier Festival Park along the lakefront in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. The festival lasts for 11 days, is made up of 11 stages with performances from over 700 bands, and since the mid-1970s has run from late June through early July, usually...
, the Wisconsin State Fair Park
Wisconsin State Fair Park
The Wisconsin State Fair Park is a fairgrounds and exhibition center in the Milwaukee suburb of West Allis, Wisconsin, USA. It has been the location of the Wisconsin State Fair since 1892. It also hosts other venues such as the Milwaukee Mile, the oldest continuously operating motor speedway in...
, and the African World Festival.
His son, Harvey Jr., better known as "Scalez" (formerly "JR Da Supastar"), is a rapper based in Milwaukee. Harvey's godson, Robert Buchanan, Jr. is a music producer and singer, better known as "Kristopher Lloyd". Robert, who is based out of Atlanta will have future collaborations with Harvey Scales on upcoming projects.
Also his other son David "goes by Vela" is an up and coming artist in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and sometimes joins his dad onstage.
Solo Albums
- Somebody Else’s Somebody (1997) (Four Sight)
- Hot Foot: A Funque Dizco Opera (1979) (Casablanca)
- Confidential Affair (1978) (Casablanca)
Singles
- Cuca
- J-1132 Harvey (Twistin' Harvey) "The Clock/ Every Step Of The Way"
- J-1155 Harvey & The Seven Sounds “Glamour Girl/New York City”
- J-1271 Harvey & The Seven Sounds "Independency/ I Want To Apologize"
- 1311 Harvey Scales & the Seven Sounds "Bootleg/ Monkeytime ‘67"
- Magic Touch
- 16001 Harvey Scales & the Seven Sounds "Broadway Freeze/ I Can’t Cry No More" 1968
- 2007 Harvey Scales & the Seven Sounds "Get Down/ Love-Itis"
- 2069 Harvey Scales & the Seven Sounds "(It’s Too Good) Too Good To Be True/ Love Is A Gas" 1969
- 2072 Harvey Scales & the Seven Sounds "Don’t You Ever Let It End/ The Sound Of Soul" 1969
- 2077 Harvey Scales & the Seven Sounds "Welcome Home/ Trackdown" 1969
- 3002 Harvey Scales & the Seven Seas "Bump Your Thing/ Trying To Survive"
- 7006 Harvey Scales "Groove On Sexy Lady/ Rock The World”
- 9003 Harvey Scales "Follow The Disco Crowd/ Love Thief”
- Earthtone
- 508014X Harvey Scales "Single Girls/ Spend The Nite Forever"
He also released singles on Cadet Concept, Chess, Mercury, Stax
Stax
Stax can refer to:* StAX, Streaming API for XML. An API for reading and writing XML in Java.* Stax Earspeakers, a Japanese brand of electrostatic earspeakers* Stax Records, an American record company...
, & Casablanca
- Soul-Tay-Shus
- STS CD 6363 Harvey Scales & the Seven Sounds "Love-Itis: All the Rare & Unreissued 45's from the Vaults of Magic Touch: 1967-1977" 2009
External links
- Harvey Scales [] at All Music
- Harvey Scales & the Seven Sounds "Love-Itis" http://www.tuffcity.com/html/allgenres.asp?SearchBy=Gen&GenreList=Recent+releases+(All+Genres)&ReleaseAlbumList=21361 at TuffCity.com