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Beginning their careers in Canton, Ohio in 1958 as The Triumphs, The O'Jays were the seminal vocal group in the '70s and '80s. Scoring Number One R&B hits including "Back Stabbers," "Love Train," "Message to our Music," and "Lovin' You," The O'Jays are still recording to this day.
It was in 1957 when Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, William Powell, Bobby Massey and Bill Isles began as a quintet called the Triumphs of McKinley High School in Canton, OH. In 1960, they became the Mascots but were renamed the O'Jays in 1963 after legendary radio D. J., Eddie, O'Jay. Things began to take off for the group when they signed with Imperial Records in 1963 and achieved their first hit, "Lonely Drifter." This was followed by several hit singles and the release of their debut album in 1965, Comin' Through. THE O'Jays had released one more record, Soul Sounds, in 1967 when they met songwriters and producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. The group soon recorded on Gamble and Huff's Neptune label as a quartet (Isles departed in 1967). Massey left the group in 1972 and the trio united with Gamble and Huff on Philadelphia International Records recording some of the best R&B/pop hits ever. It was on the Philadelphia International label that THE O'JAYS' career skyrocketed.
Their muscular vocal stylings, combined with their awesome showmanship have enabled THE O'JAYS to perform to sellout crowds worldwide. For the next seven years after the 1972 release of "Back Stabbers," THE O'JAYS had a gold or platinum record every year and garnered three Grammy nominations for Best R&B Vocal Group. In 1990, the group won an American Music Award for Favorite R&B Group or Duo for their hit album, Emotionally Yours. With six platinum and eight gold LPs including, Family Reunion, Message in the Music Ship Ahoy, So Full of Love and Travelin' at the Speed of Thought, the talented trio has proven the test of time. With more than 50 hit singles released in their 40 year career, few people have earned the right to be called "living legends," THE O'JAYS are one of them.
Newest member, Eric Grant, is proud to be included as part of THE O'JAYS legacy. "THE O'JAYS have been a soul music staple for more than 40 years and I feel this album will introduce us to a new generation of listeners."
The O'Jays are living legends…American treasures. The term "living legend" is often overused and abused, but with The O'Jays, well, there's little argument that the honorable tag truly applies. With their place in modern music secure, The O'Jays could have cruise-controlled to that comfy hammock on a sandy beach, umbrella-decorated drinks in hand. Why? (1) An ocean-wide body of work that spawned 24 Top Ten smashes and 59 total charted songs. (2) Incredibly energetic and dynamic live shows. (3) Mad respect for their Olympian vocals. And (4) The O’Jays social and political impact on generations and nations.
But doing things slowly is not Eddie Levert, Sr., Walter Williams, Sr. and Eric Nolan Grant’s modus operandi. After 40+ years making such international hits as "Back Stabbers," "For The Love Of Money," "Darlin' Darlin' Baby," "Love Train," "I Love Music," "Use Ta Be My Girl"and "Have You Had Your Love Today," The O'Jays are light years away from easing up on the gas. And like fine wine, The O'Jays just get better with time. Through the years, The O’Jays were blessed to have had the late great choreographer Cholly Adkins around. Adkins taught The O’Jays the importance of showmanship and how to execute their steps while still delivering their songs.
There have been “four faces” of The O’Jays. This vocal group from Canton, Ohio originated with Eddie Levert, Sr., Walter Williams, Sr., William Powell, Bobby Massey and Bill Isles and they were named after Cleveland DJ Eddie O’Jay. Isles left The O’Jays in 1965. Massey left to become a record producer in 1971 and Levert, Williams and Powell continued as a trio. Powell retired from touring due to illness in late 1975, passing at the age of 35 in 1977 and was replaced by Sammy Strain, formerly with Little Anthony & The Imperials. Strain returned to his former group in 1993 and was replaced by Nathaniel Best. After the departure in 1995 of Nathaniel Best, Eddie Levert, Sr. and Walter Williams, Sr. reached out to Eric Nolan Grant, a gifted vocalist who was already a part of the group's extended Cleveland-based musical family. The O’Jays chart-topping album “Love You To Tears” marked Grant’s first appearance with the group. Says Eddie "Eric was the ideal person for the O’Jays, because he was used to working within a group. He was really a shoe-in, and he fit perfectly. With his addition, we have been able to keep our performances at a level that we're used to having-stage-wise and in the studio." "Honestly speaking, being from Cleveland, the O'Jays were our heroes," Eric reminisces. "We all looked up to the O'Jays, patterned ourselves after them. So, Gerald called me to say they were holding auditions and I got the gig. Sometimes, I'll get caught up to where I'm on stage, and I'm watching Eddie and Walt like I'm in the audience! Every now and then, Eddie and Walt has to come over to me and say, `Hey, sing!' After six years of being in the group, I am still a fan."
The stage, whether in America or on international soil, is where the O’Jays let it all out, they blow away the competition with their soulful singing and bring in “standing room” only audiences. On the road several months during a year, The O’Jays still enjoy the accolades and rave reviews of fans and media. All generations love the O’Jays, which is why their “For The Love” album, (released in 2001), was a chart-topper, and in 2002, that album was nominated for a Grammy Award. In addition to The O’Jays many nominations each year for the past 43 years, The O’Jays continue to receive many awards from various shows and organizations, while still making guest appearances. Says Walter Williams, Sr., “We have three generations at our concerts…the kids, the moms and dads, and the grandmas and granddads.” “This popularity among generations is rare in music today, an exception rather than the rule and that is why The O’Jays are a phenomena”, says the management team of Rosalind R. Ray, Esquire and Andy Gibson. Ray and Gibson add, “The O’Jays are more than legends. They are the architects of music that have proven timeless and priceless”.
Eddie Levert, Sr., Walter Williams, Sr., Eric Nolan Grant…The O’Jays…have proven time and time again that the mixture of “ol’ school” and contemporary is a winning formula…a formula which always reflects the O’Jays uncompromising stance on love and relationships.
After many years of continued success, The O’Jays in addition to their music endeavors have embarked on acting careers and will begin writing a book sometime in the near future. In September 2003, The O’Jays appeared in their debut film “The Fighting Temptations” starring Cuba Gooding, Jr., and Beyonce Knowles and other artists that include Angie Stone, L’il Zane, Melba Moore, and Montell Jordan.
Because of Eddie and Walter's lifelong relationship, there's a bond that keeps The O’Jays in good stead and strengthens their business relationship. They met when Walter was 6 and Eddie was 7. They admit they had to grow on each other because they say “they were like two wild bulls when they first became friends”. They continue and say, “After many years we appreciate our friendship, our dedication to each other and the group and our love for good music." Walter continues: "We probably could have had great solo careers, but I don't think either one of us could have ever have been as big as The O'Jays”. Both Eddie and Walter enthusiastically say, “The O'Jays are our main love, and we never intend to leave that”.
Now this storied trio adds yet another cornerstone to their impressive track record with IMAGINATION… their new CD recorded for Music World Music Records. IMAGINATION…will capture your inner thoughts and allow you to imagine that you are on the front row of a live O’Jays performance. In 2004, The O’JAYS were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in Sharon, Pa. In March 14, 2005, The O’Jays were inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH. It’s been a long journey; thanks to the fans the LOVE TRAIN is still going strong!
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