HAROLD MELVIN & BLUE NOTES STAR BERNIE WILSON GONE

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A surviving member of R&B superstars Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes who charted Number One in 1972 with "If You Don’t Know Me By Now",BERNIE WILSON, has joined his soulful brothers in the sky.

Baritone Wilson, 64. died in Voorhees, N.J., after suffering a heart attack and stroke, his cousin Faith Peace-Macuzza told media.

The former record company for Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Philadelphia International Records, said Wilson’s death left Lloyd Parks as the sole surviving member of the group’s original lineup.

The Blue Notes at one time also featured Teddy Pendergrass and Lawrence Brown as they produced a string of R&B classics during the 1970s that defined THE Philadelphia Sound.

"If You Don’t Know Me by Now" topped the R&B charts and made the top five on pop charts.

Harold Melvin’s chartbusters included "I Miss You," "Bad Luck," "Wake up Everybody," and the dance track "The Love I Lost," which has been credited as one of the first disco records.

"He left home at 16 as a pauper and came back home a millionaire," Wilson’s cousin Peace-Mazzccua said.