Skip to main content

The O'Jays

 


The O’Jays | Bruno of Hollywood | theojays.jpg

The O’Jays were a vocal group which formed in 1958 in Canton, Ohio. Originally a five piece, the members were Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, William Powell, Bobby Massey and Bill Isles. Bill Isles left the group in 1965. Bobby Massey left the group around 1972. The group came into prominence from around 1968 when they teamed up with producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, with their material being released on the Chess distributed Neptune label until 1970.

Eddie Levert, born in Bessemer, Alabama on 16 June 1942.
Walter Williams, born in Canton, Ohio on 25 August 1943.
William Powell, born in Canton, Ohio on 20 January 1942, died from cancer in Canton, Ohio on 26 May 1977.
Bobby Massey, born in Detroit, Michigan on 9 March 1942.
Bill Isles, born in McAdenville, North Carolina on 4 January 1941. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Meditation Singers

  Meditation Singers LP cover | Vinyl Beat | tc306 The Meditation Singers, a long running Gospel music group, first recorded in the 1940s and at one time included Della Reese. The group, at the time they were recording for Checker in 1966, were Ernestine Rundless, wjo founded the group, Donna Hammonds, Verlene Rogers, Marie Waters, Patricia Lyles and Victoria Beasley. Ernestine Rundless was born in Egremont, Mississippi on 4 May 1914 and died on 7 February 2007. Donna Hammonds is undocumented. Verlene Rogers died in Las Vegas, Nevada, after a long illness, on 27 August 2020. Marie Waters is undocumented but is known to have been the older sister of singer Della Reese. Patricia Lyles was born in 1943 and died in 1978. Victoria Beasley is undocumented.
Post a Comment
Read more

Anthony La Mont

  Lamont Dozier | Uncredited photographer/Creative and Dreams | tc494 Lamont Herbert Dozier (La Mont Anthony) is a well known record producer, song writer and singer.  He is best known as a member of the Holland-Dozier-Holland producing and writing team who were behind big successes for The Supremes and The Four Tops. He co-wrote and produced 14 US Billboard number 1 hits and 4 UK number one hits. Mr Dozier was born in Detroit, Michigan on 16 June 1941 and began singing for some small Detroit labels with groups including The Romeos before joining up with Brian and Eddie Holland in 1962. Their first successes for Motown were for Martha and The Vandellas. He split with the Hollands in 1972 to pursue a solo career.  The recording on CheckMate was made around 1961. Mr Dozier and the Holland brothers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Mr Dozier moved to California and has spent some time teaching music. He was a Trustee of NARAS and chaired its Advocacy...
Post a Comment
Read more

Chuck Berry

  Chuck Berry | Rolling Stone | tc036 Charles Edward Anderson “Chuck” Berry was born on October 18, 1926 in St Louis, Missouri.,  He traveled to Chicago in May 1955, and met Muddy Waters, who suggested he contact Leonard Chess of Chess Records. The resulting record of "Maybelline", based on the country song "Ida Red", sold over one million copies and set a high standard – a combination of amazing guitar playing, developing the playing style of T Bone Walker, which inspired whole generations of musicians, and composing articulate descriptive songs. He became known as "The father of rock and roll". His lyrics concentrated on teenage life and consumerism.  Berry has had a number of spells in prison for a variety of offences including offences against the Mann Act and of tax evasion. Having been ripped off, Berry insisted on being paid cash in a paper bag which he transferred to his attache case. Although mainly associated with Chess Records, Berry signed with...
Post a Comment
Read more