The O'Jays's Page

Current Members
Eddie Levert
Walter Williams
Eric Nolan Grant

By any measurement, the O'Jays must be considered one of the most important Soul Music groups of the past 40 years. Originally a regionally popular act in Cleveland (and in fact named after local deejay Eddie O'Jay), the group was together for a decade before getting a major break by teaming with young songwriter/producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. Their first album on Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International Records, Backstabbers, was a masterpiece, highlighted by McFadden & Whitehead's composition "Backstabbers." The haunting song with the great intro (later sampled by Angie Stone on "I Wish I Didn't Miss You") became a monster hit, and was followed by the even bigger "Love Train." The Backstabbers album was a smash, and began a string of critically acclaimed and commercially popular albums.

Previous members of The O'Jays
William Powell (deceased)
Bobby Massey
Bill Isles
Nathaniel Best
Sammy Strain


During the period of Philadelphia International's 70s dominance of the airwaves, it was clear that the O'Jays were the foundation of the house. The contrast of the gruff, electrifying voice of Eddie Levert and the mellifluous tones of Walter Williams gave the group the ability to masterfully handle the funkiest cuts Gamble & Huff could throw at them and yet also handle ballads beautifully. They generally received the best songs and the most creative Gamble & Huff arrangements, with far more hits than misses. Songs like "For The Love of Money," "Livin' For the Weekend," and the classic "Use Ta Be My Girl" all appeared to be a year or two ahead of what everyone else was doing And, as the vehicle for G&H's social statements, the group released some of the most intelligent, relevant album cuts of the decade. Their mid-70s albums, especially Ship Ahoy, are worth seeking out.

As the 70s ended, the Gamble & Huff sound became more familiar -- even formulaic -- but the O'Jays' albums continued to include fine material and always wonderful vocal performances. Generally forgotten early 80s releases such as When Will I See You Again and Love and More featured some of the group's best ballads, but found a more limited audience acceptance. With their crossover days were behind them, the O'Jays began focusing on writing more of their own material and continued to adjust to changes in the sound of popular music, ultimately leaving the Gamble & Huff fold. They continued to score sporadic hits, such as the rap-introed "Have You Had Your Love Today" and the gospel-like cover of Bob Dylan's "Emotionally Yours." During that period Eddie Levert also made a terrific album with son Gerald, who was then a rising solo star and leader of the popular group Levert.

We have continued to record, releasing For the Love..., a surprisingly strong 2001 disc that featured the hit "Let's Ride." In 2004 they signed a multi-disc recording contract with Matthew Knowles' (Beyonce's father) Sanctuary Urban Records and issued Imagination.

2004 Inductees of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation
2005 Inductees of The Rock n' Roll Hall Of Fame
2008 The O'Jays celebrated their 50th anniversary together.
2009 The O'Jays received the "Lifetime Achievement Award" at the annual BET Awards

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