Don Francis Bowman "Sugarcane" Harris (June 18, 1938 – November 30, 1999)[1] was an American blues and rock and roll violinist and guitarist.
[3] Harris began performing with a doo-wop group, The Squires, which included his childhood friend, the pianist[2] Dewey Terry.
[4] These include "Farmer John" (the Premiers and, later, Neil Young), "Justine" (the Righteous Brothers), "I'm Leaving It Up to You" (Dale and Grace), and "Big Boy Pete" (the Olympics).
He reappeared as a sideman with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers and Frank Zappa,[3] most recognized for his appearances on Hot Rats and on the Mothers of Invention albums Burnt Weeny Sandwich and Weasels Ripped My Flesh.
[4][2] During the early 1970s, Harris led the Pure Food and Drug Act, which included drummer Paul Lagos, guitarists Harvey Mandel[2] and Randy Resnick, and bassist Victor Conte, who was the founder of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative.
[citation needed] While the performance showed the promise of the group, Harris's issues with controlled substances was a constant struggle, eventually contributing to his death.