The OJays and Their Journey

Hailing all the way from Philadelphia, the O’Jays were one of the biggest name in the musical face of American Pop and R&B. In 2004 they were finally given ticket to be included in the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. In 2005 they also entered as a winning ticket into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Nowadays, the group changed into a quarter as Isles passed away yet they still remain one of the most respected tickets in the world of music.

The group was initially formed in Canton, Ohio way back in 1958 during the group members’ high school days. Before they used the ticket name of “The O’Jays” they used to be known as “The Triumphs.” Eventually, the latter still changed into “The Mascots” until their first ticket into recording came and the name they finally used there was “Miracles.” It was in 1961 when they finally made the ticket switch into naming themselves “The O’Jays” as a tribute to DJ Eddie O’Jay. It was also in early 60’s, specifically during 1963, when the group finally released their first nationally charting, “Lonely Drifter."

Their career flourished and they continued to release several chart-topping songs throughout the said year. Their album debuted as an LP under the title “Comin’ Through.” They also became a TV show ticket as they performed the song “Lipstick Traces” on a popular show called “Shivaree.” They soon became both a regional and national music ticket under the genre of soul R&B and Pop. However, their first gold album came in 1972 via the recording of, “Back Stabbers."

They still continued their popularity streak over the 80’s and was still successful in recording plenty of songs under the unique brand of music. They were still able to release chart toppers like “For the Love Of Money” and “Put Your Hands Together.” But on an unfortunate note, one of the original members will be set to depart the group because of cancer. It was William Powell.

Eventually they added Sammy Strain as a replacement who used to be with the group, “The Imperials.” The O’Jays still went on with their music ticket, but it was already notable that their success at that time became somewhat limited. Throughout the 1980’s they still produced chart toppers but only relatively few and they have become a staple at the bottom ranks. They continued to thrive every once in a while until Sammy Strain finally decided to leave the group on 1992.