Legendary soul singer Harvey Scales remembered: "Not only black history. It's American history"
(MILWAUKEE) – Harvey Scales was probably most famous for co-writing the 1976 mega-hit "Disco Lady" performed by Johnny Taylor. The song became the first record in Recording Industry Association of America history to go platinum or sell at least one million copies, but his son will tell you his greatest accomplishment might have been the countless racial barriers he broke along the way.
Legendary soul singer and song-writer Harvey Scales was memorialized among family and friends this weekend in his home town of Milwaukee. The 78-year old died earlier this month after a brief battle with illness. A talented singer-songwriter, the North Division High School graduate was active in the music industry from the 1960's up until the end, most recently performing at Summerfest in 2017.
Harvey Scales, Jr. says his father “prided himself on coming back here constantly. He was a regular at Summerfest for over 25 years. My dad did the inaugural one where Henry Maier was the mayor and always came back here to perform for mayor's birthday parties, banquets, [and] NAACP events.
He composed songs for the O'Jays, the Dells and the Dramatics among others and his original music has been sampled by countless performers including the Beastie Boys and MC Hammer.
On CBS 58 Sunday Morning, Scales, Jr. spoke about the incredible legacy his father left behind.
Harvey Scales will be interred at Graceland Cemetary.