The O’Jays, the legendary R&B group behind hits like “Love Train” and “For the Love of Money,” are performing at the Charleston Gaillard Center on March 24th, 2022. Tickets go on sale Friday, November 5th at 11 am.
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 Levert, 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 Levert and 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.” Subsequently, they succeeded with various chart-topping pop and R&B singles including “Put Your Hands Together,” “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.
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 Fame. Today, the songs of The O'Jays are still being used in many movies, commercials and TV shows.
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