About Hugh Harris
Lived 1964 – 2019 (aged 54). Hugh Harris was a British pianist.
Hugh Albert Harris (2 August 1964 – 1 January 2019) was an English musician, most known for his song "Rhythm of Life".
Career Hugh Harris was born in London in 1964. He released his first album, Words for Our Years in 1989, that featured his only hit "Rhythm of Life"; it was featured in the film Uncle Buck. In July 1990, "Rhythm of Life" peaked at No. 92 in the UK Singles Chart. His first album garnered critical acclaim, and Harris' style was compared to Prince, Terence Trent D'arby and female vocalist Tracy Chapman.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Harris was in a low-key relationship with Sinéad O'Connor. His song "Seven Days" was on the soundtrack for Kalifornia, and was subsequently included on his 2002 album Flowers.
Throat cancer caused Harris to disappear from the music scene soon after his success, thus stalling what could be regarded as a promising musical career.
Harris emerged from a 12-year hiatus, in 2002, to release, Flowers, record producers Gary Katz and David Z, and Planet Funk.
In September 2013, two albums were released via iTunes. These albums, titled The Captain's Tales Vol 1 & 2, were released on his own label 'Not Them Again Music', and brought to an end an 11-year musical hiatus.
Hugh Harris died of cancer on 1 January 2019. His humanist funeral was held at the West London Crematorium in Kensal Green, London. His song "Flowers" was played.
Album discography 1989: Words for Our Years - Capitol Records 2002: Flowers (recorded in 1992) - Airwave 2013: The Captain's Tale, Vol. 1 - Not Them Again Music 2013: The Captain's Tale, Vol. 2 - Not Them Again Music
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Important facts
People in Hugh Harris's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Hugh Harris's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Hugh Harris?
British musician
When was Hugh Harris born?
Hugh Harris was born on 2 August 1964 in London.
When did Hugh Harris die?
Hugh Harris died on 1 January 2019.
What was Hugh Harris's occupation?
Hugh Harris was a pianist.
What nationality was Hugh Harris?
Hugh Harris was British.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Hugh Harris (singer)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Hugh Harris. https://biography.guide/hugh-harris-pianist/
MLA: "Hugh Harris." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/hugh-harris-pianist/.
Chicago: "Hugh Harris." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/hugh-harris-pianist/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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