Originally known as The Mascots, and then The Triumphs, the friends began recording with "Miracles" in 1961, which was a moderate hit in the Cleveland area. The group was formed in Canton, Ohio, in 1958 while its members were attending Canton McKinley High School. Several other US R&B hits followed, and the O'Jays were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005, and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2013. With Gamble & Huff, the O'Jays (now a trio after the departure of Isles and Massey) emerged at the forefront of Philadelphia soul with " Back Stabbers" (1972), and topped the US Billboard Hot 100 the following year with " Love Train". The O'Jays made their first chart appearance with the minor hit "Lonely Drifter" in 1963, but reached their greatest level of success once Gamble & Huff, a team of producers and songwriters, signed them to their Philadelphia International label in 1972. Edward Willis LeVert is the third cousin of the former Michigan basketball star and current Brooklyn Nets player, Caris LeVert.The O'Jays are an American R&B group from Canton, Ohio, formed in 1958 and originally consisting of Eddie Levert, Walter Lee Williams, William Powell, Bobby Massey, and Bill Isles. and Gerald became a subject of a book, I Got Your Back: A Father and Son Keep It Real about Love, Fatherhood, Family, and Friendship issued in 2007. However, even despite the death of his second son- Sean, 14 months later, Eddie still managed to compose himself and continue with his music career. Upon the death of Gerald in November of 2006 from an accidental overdose of prescription meds and over-the-counter meds, everybody was wondering how Willis Eddie, who was extremely close to his son, would be able to proceed with his music. ![]() As such, one can probably imagine the amount of grief and pain their father and mother still go through to this date. Although it’s been more than a decade since Eddie Levert lost his son/singer, Gerald, and almost 9 years since he lost his son/singer, Sean, R&B fans across the world are still saddened behind their deaths. He also has a daughter, Kadice Levert, of the Cleveland (Solon), Ohio. The O’Jays were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004, and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.Įdward Willis Levert is the father of the late R&B singers, Gerald Levert, who died on 10 th November, 2006 Sean Levert, who died on 30 th March, 2008 Eddie Levert Jr., the CEO of Levert Entertainment Group, a Music label headquartered in Los Angeles, C.A. Willis, alongside his group members, received the BET Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2009 BET Awards. ![]() Eddie Willis starred and performed in the movie “ The Fighting Temptations” and performed the song “ He Still Loves Me” in 2003. The O’Jays are mainly known by their hits “ Back Stabbers,” “ Love Train,” and “ For the Love of Money“. The group’s first big hit was “ Lonely Drifter” in 1963 which was lifted off their debut album Comin Through. They came together in 1958 to form “ The O’Jays’ which was originally known as “ The Triumphs and The Mascots.” The group was officially renamed as The O’Jays after they got their name from DJ Eddie O’Jay. ![]() While attending his high school studies, he met his friends such as Walter Williams, Bobby Massey, Bill Isles, and William Powell, all of whom were motivated to sing after witnessing a performance from Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers. Levert Eddie was born in Birmingham, Alabama, but raised in Canton, Ohio. Eddie Levert is best known as the lead vocalist of the R&B/Soul vocal group, “The O’Jays.” On this day, 16 th June, an African-American R&B singer, songwriter, and actor, Edward “Eddie” Willis Levert, is celebrating his 75 th Birthday.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |