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, The O’Jays scored the first #1 hit, “Backstabbers.” Subsequently, they succeeded with various chart-topping pop and R&B singles including “Love Train”, “For The Love of Money”, “I Love Music”, “Darlin’ Darlin’ Baby”, “Livin’ For The Weekend” and “Use Ta Be My Girl”.
The O’Jays were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2005 and were honored with BET’s Life Time Achievement Award in 2009. In 2013, they were inducted into the Official R&B Music Hall of Fame. 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!