The OJays
The O'Jays are an R&B vocal group that became one of Philadelphia International Records' most successful acts, their recordings with Gamble and Huff defining the Sound of Philadelphia through the 1970s. Though the group originated in Canton, Ohio, their greatest success came in Philadelphia, where they recorded classics including "Love Train," "Back Stabbers," and "For the Love of Money" that combined irresistible grooves with socially conscious lyrics. The O'Jays' Philadelphia recordings helped establish the city as the center of soul music while demonstrating that popular music could address serious themes without sacrificing commercial appeal.[1]
Early Years
[edit | edit source]The group that became The O'Jays formed in Canton, Ohio, in 1958 as The Triumphs, later changing their name to honor Cleveland disc jockey Eddie O'Jay who supported their early career. Original members included Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, William Powell, Bobby Massey, and Bill Isles, with the lineup evolving over subsequent years. Through the 1960s, they recorded for various labels with modest success, developing their vocal harmonies and stage presence while searching for the production partnership that would bring breakthrough success.[2]
The O'Jays encountered Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff in the late 1960s, beginning a relationship that would transform their career. After preliminary recordings, the group signed with Philadelphia International Records when the label launched in 1971, committing to the vision that Gamble and Huff were developing. The partnership proved transformative—the producers' sophisticated arrangements and the group's powerful vocal abilities created recordings that neither could have achieved alone.[1]
Philadelphia International Success
[edit | edit source]The O'Jays' first album for Philadelphia International, "Back Stabbers" (1972), established them as major stars. The title track, with its urgent warning about betrayal and its irresistible groove, reached number one on the R&B charts and crossed over to pop audiences. The album demonstrated that Gamble and Huff's approach—combining lush orchestration with socially aware lyrics—could achieve commercial success while maintaining artistic integrity.[2]
"Love Train" (1973) became their signature song, its message of global unity and brotherhood resonating with audiences during a period of political turmoil and social change. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming an anthem that would be revived repeatedly in subsequent decades. Its combination of optimistic lyrics with an irresistible groove demonstrated the O'Jays' ability to deliver serious messages in commercially accessible packages.[1]
Subsequent hits including "Put Your Hands Together," "For the Love of Money," and "Give the People What They Want" continued the group's success through the mid-1970s. "For the Love of Money," with its distinctive bass line and commentary on materialism, became perhaps their most sampled recording, its groove recycled by hip-hop producers and television programs (most notably as "The Apprentice" theme). These recordings demonstrated consistent quality while addressing themes—economic inequality, social justice, universal love—that distinguished Philadelphia soul from more conventional R&B.[2]
Vocal Excellence
[edit | edit source]The O'Jays' vocal approach combined the rougher edges of gospel and blues with the polish that Philadelphia International's productions demanded. Eddie Levert's lead vocals conveyed urgency and emotional intensity, while Walter Williams and William Powell provided harmonies that enriched the group's sound. Their live performances demonstrated abilities that studio recordings could only partially capture, with call-and-response exchanges and vocal improvisations that reflected their gospel roots.[1]
William Powell's death from cancer in 1977 was a significant loss, though the group continued with Levert and Williams as the core duo, adding Sammy Strain from Little Anthony and the Imperials. The reconstituted group maintained their hit-making ability, with recordings including "Use Ta Be My Girl" (1978) continuing their commercial success. Their ability to adapt to changing musical fashions—from disco through contemporary R&B—demonstrated resilience that kept them relevant through decades of industry change.[2]
Continued Legacy
[edit | edit source]The O'Jays continue performing into the 2020s, their classic recordings drawing audiences who remember the 1970s hits alongside younger listeners who discovered them through sampling and reissues. Their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005 recognized contributions that extended beyond individual hits to encompass their role in establishing Philadelphia as a center of soul music innovation.[1]
Eddie Levert's solo career and his sons' success as members of LeVert demonstrated the family's continued musical presence, while the O'Jays' catalog remains among the most sampled in hip-hop, connecting their Philadelphia soul recordings to contemporary production. Their influence on subsequent vocal groups, their example of combining social consciousness with commercial success, and their recordings that continue to resonate decades after their creation ensure their place in American musical history.[2]