Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes were an American singing group, one of the most popular Philadelphia soul groups of the 1970s. The group's repertoire included soul, R&B, doo-wop, and disco. Founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the early 1950s as The Charlemagnes, the group is most noted for several hits on Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International label between 1972 and 1976, although they performed and recorded until Melvin's death in 1997. Despite group founder and original lead singer Harold Melvin's top billing, the Blue Notes' most famous member was Teddy Pendergrass, their lead singer during the success years at Philadelphia International.

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes were one of the finest soul groups of the ’70s, based in Philadelphia, PA. Led by the great Harold Melvin, they formed as early as 1954, but struggled for many years until they finally broke through in 1972, much thanks to then-new lead singer Teddy Pendergrass, whose powerful, expressive baritone, alternating between singing and screaming, counts as one of the most distinctive voices in soul music. With the addition of Pendergrass, and the ornate, orchestral pro