Wilbert Harrison

Wilbert H. Harrison (1929-1994), the son of James William and Nancy Grafton Harrison, was born on January 5, 1929, in Charlotte, NC. One of 22 children, Wilbert spent his early childhood at 936 Oliver St. in Charlotte. His mother also raised 25 foster children and died at age 90. Many of his family still live in the Charlotte area.

Best known for his recording of Kansas City, written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, Harrison recorded several other songs, as well as performed in a solo act and toured with a band. Kansas City was chosen by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, as one of the 500 songs that shaped Rock and Roll. Harrison was inducted posthumously into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001 for his 1959 recording of Kansas City.

He died at age 65 in Spencer, NC.