Headliners

The O’Jays

Take the Love Train to West Oak Lane! The O'Jays turned out such timeless hits including "Back Stabbers," "Love Train," "For the Love of Money," "I Love Music" and "Use Ta Be My Girl." During a fifteen-year run from "Back Stabbers" (1972) to "Lovin' You" (1987), the O'Jays placed more than forty singles on the R&B chart, nine of which went to #1.

The O'Jays' story dates back further still, beginning in the late 1950's when founding members Eddie Levert and Walter Williams began singing gospel on a radio station in their hometown of Canton, Ohio. Joined by fellow high-schoolers William Powell, Bobby Massey and Bill Isles, they became the Triumphs, an R&B vocal group, in 1959. Their popularity as a live act got them signed to Syd Nathan's King label, where they released a pair of singles as the Mascots." The day we signed [with Philadelphia International] was the day we finally came in from the rain," Walter Williams said. The group was now down to a trio of Levert, Williams and Powell, with original members Isles and Massey having left in 1966 and 1971, respectively. "Back Stabbers" kicked off a hit streak that finally made crossover stars of the O'Jays.

The O'Jays scored their ninth R&B chart-topper, "Have You Had Your Love Today," in 1989. Emotionally Yours (1991) yielded three R&B smashes, including their choir-filled arrangement of the Bob Dylan-penned title track. The group's latest album of new material, Love You to Tears, appeared in 1997. The O'Jays received the Rhythm & Blues Foundation's Pioneer Award in 1998, and they remain a popular performing entity.