Harold James Melvin (June 25, 1939 — March 24, 1997) was an American singer. He is best known for fronting Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, who were regarded as pioneers in the Philadelphia sound of the 1970s.^[1]

Melvin was born in Philadelphia on June 25, 1939.^[2] He sang with his school friends on street corners; this group of friends then became Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes.^[3] The group would not have their first hit until the early 1970s, with "If You Don't Know Me by Now". "If You Don't Know Me by Now" and "The Love I Lost" were both certified gold in the US.^[4] Melvin fronted the Blue Notes until July 1996.^[5]

Melvin had five children (two daughters and three sons) with his wife, Ovelia McDaniels.^[3][5] While he was planning a tour in Japan, he suffered a stroke in July 1996 that ended his career and left him bedridden and unable to speak.^[5][6] Melvin died on March 24, 1997, aged 57.^[3][6] His doctor, Dale Sinker, claimed that he probably died from either suffering another stroke or the long term health effects of his previous stroke.^[5][6][7]