The OJays
The O'Jays are an R&B vocal group that became one of Philadelphia International Records' most successful acts, with their work alongside Gamble and Huff defining the Sound of Philadelphia through the 1970s. Though the group started in Canton, Ohio, they found their greatest success in Philadelphia, where they recorded classics including "Love Train," "Back Stabbers," and "For the Love of Money" that blended irresistible grooves with socially conscious lyrics. The O'Jays' Philadelphia recordings helped establish the city as the center of soul music while proving that popular music could tackle serious themes without losing commercial appeal.[1]
Early Years
Back in 1958, a group formed in Canton, Ohio under the name The Triumphs. They'd later adopt their current name to honor Cleveland disc jockey Eddie O'Jay, who'd supported them early on. Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, William Powell, Bobby Massey, and Bill Isles made up the original lineup, though it'd shift over the years. Throughout the 1960s, they recorded for various labels with modest results, all the while honing their vocal harmonies and live performance skills while hunting for the right production team.[2]
The group met Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff in the late 1960s. That meeting changed everything. When Philadelphia International Records launched in 1971, they signed with the label and embraced the vision Gamble and Huff were building. The partnership worked brilliantly. Neither the producers nor the group could've achieved what they did together on their own, with sophisticated arrangements meeting powerful vocal abilities in ways that simply clicked.[1]
Philadelphia International Success
"Back Stabbers" (1972) was their first album for Philadelphia International, and it made them stars. The title track warned urgently about betrayal while delivering an irresistible groove, hitting number one on the R&B charts and crossing over to pop audiences. Gamble and Huff's approach showed it could work: lush orchestration paired with socially aware lyrics could succeed commercially without compromising artistry.[2]
"Love Train" arrived in 1973 as their signature song, its message of global unity and brotherhood striking a chord during a period of political turmoil and social upheaval. The track reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and became an anthem revived repeatedly over the decades. Optimistic lyrics mixed with an irresistible groove proved the group could deliver serious messages in packages audiences actually wanted to hear.[1]
Other hits followed: "Put Your Hands Together," "For the Love of Money," and "Give the People What They Want" kept the group's momentum rolling through the mid-1970s. "For the Love of Money" earned special distinction. Its distinctive bass line and commentary on materialism made it perhaps their most sampled recording, with hip-hop producers and television programs (most notably "The Apprentice" theme) recycling that groove repeatedly. These songs showed consistent quality while tackling issues—economic inequality, social justice, universal love—that set Philadelphia soul apart from standard R&B fare.[2]
Vocal Excellence
Their vocal approach blended gospel and blues roughness with the polish Philadelphia International's productions demanded. Eddie Levert's lead vocals carried urgency and emotional intensity, while Walter Williams and William Powell enriched the sound with harmonies. Live, they demonstrated abilities that studio recordings only partially captured, with call-and-response exchanges and vocal improvisations rooted in their gospel background.[1]
Cancer took William Powell in 1977. It was a serious blow. The group continued with Levert and Williams as the core, bringing in Sammy Strain from Little Anthony and the Imperials. The reconstituted lineup kept the hits coming, with "Use Ta Be My Girl" (1978) continuing their commercial run. They adapted to shifting musical fashions from disco through contemporary R&B, showing the resilience needed to stay relevant through decades of industry transformation.[2]
Continued Legacy
Into the 2020s, the O'Jays still perform. Their classic 1970s recordings draw both longtime fans and younger listeners who've discovered them through sampling and reissues. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted them in 2005, recognizing how they'd helped make Philadelphia a center of soul music innovation, far beyond any single hit.[1]
Eddie Levert pursued a solo career. His sons found success as members of LeVert. The family's musical presence continued across generations. Meanwhile, their catalog remains heavily sampled in hip-hop, connecting Philadelphia soul to contemporary production in ways that keep those recordings alive. Their influence on vocal groups, their example of mixing social consciousness with commercial success, and recordings that still resonate decades later ensure their place in American musical history.[2]