THE O’JAYS
The O’Jays are touring history, a
connection to an era and a sound
that formed the soundtrack for the
lives of several generations.
T
HE O’Jays are still hitting the road with
the same electrifying energy they’ve
had for over 50 years. Walter Williams
and Eddie Levert first met when they
were the ages of 6 and 7 respectively.
As teenagers in Canton, Ohio, they formed
a band originally consisting of Eddie Levert,
Walter Williams, William Powell, Bobby Massey
and Bill Isles. In 1963, the band took the name
“The O’Jays” in tribute to Cleveland radio disc
jockey Eddie O’Jay. Several members have
changed, but the core, original lead singers
Eddie Levert and Walter Williams, continue to
front the group.
In 1972, Gamble & Huff, a team of producers
and songwriters with whom the O’Jays had
been working for several years, signed the
group to their Philadelphia International label.
With this magic formula, often called The
Sound of Philadelphia, The O’Jays
scored the first number 1 and
million-seller, “Backstabbers.”
Walter is also a volunteer National Ambassador
for the MS Society and a spokesperson for MS
Active Source.
Eddie Levert is known for his raspy voice and
has a range that takes him from alto to second
tenor. Levert teamed up with his son
Gerald for a duet on “Baby Hold On
To Me”, which hit number one on
the R&B charts.
Subsequently, they
succeeded with various
chart-topping pop and
R&B singles including
“Love Train”, “Put Your
Hands Together”, “For
The Love of Money”, “I
Love Music”, “Darlin’
Darlin’ Baby (Sweet,
Tender, Love)”, “Livin’ For
The Weekend” and “Use
Ta Be My Girl.”
This success propelled The
O’Jays to be the first black
vocal group to perform in arenas
throughout America during the 70s and
80s. Eddie and Walter have a rare lifelong bond
that few of us will ever experience; friends and
partners for almost 65 years.
“We still appreciate our friendship, 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.” Walter Williams could be considered
a hero as he has battled Multiple Sclerosis or
“MS” for 30 years and continues to execute his
dance moves with perfection when performing
on-stage with the group.
Eddie has also mentored
his very successful sons
Gerald and Sean who
became major forces in
the music industry.
Fame.
The O’Jays were
inducted into the Rock
& Roll Hall of Fame
in 2005. They were
inducted into the Vocal
Group Hall of Fame in 2005
and honored with BET’s Life
Time Achievement Award in
2009. In 2013, they were inducted
into The Official R&B Music Hall of
Today, the songs of The O’Jays are still being
used in many movies, commercials and TV
shows. “For The Love of Money” continues to be
the theme song for “The Apprentice.” Eddie
Levert Sr., Walter Williams Sr. and Eric Nolan
Grant, who joined the group in 1995, continue
to thrill fans today.
Throughout their career The O’Jays have achieved
10 Gold albums, 9 Platinum
albums and 10 #1 hits. It’s
been a long journey but
thanks to the fans the LOVE
TRAIN is still going strong!