Temptations singer Otis “Damon” Harris died on Monday at age 62 after a 14-year battle with prostate cancer, reports The Baltimore Sun. The singer was in remission until three years ago and became an advocate for men’s prostate cancer health. Harris spent his final days at Joseph Richey Hospice in Baltimore, Maryland.
Harris auditioned for The Temptations in 1971 when the original lead singer, Eddie Kendricks, left the band. Once he joined, the singer changed his first name, Otis, to Damon, since the original founding group already had one member named Otis Williams.
Harris sang lead vocals on hits like “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” and “Take a Look Around,” winning three Grammys before deciding to leave the group in 1975 to start a new band called Impact. Three years later, Harris debuted his solo album, Silk, then retired from music to complete college.