The O'Jays
- Music Department
- Actor
- Soundtrack
The O'Jays (they took their name from that of their manager, Eddie
O'Jay) formed in 1958 in Canton, Ohio, as The Triumphs. The group
members were all students at Canton's McKinley High School. They went
through a few name changes before settling on The Mascots, under which
they cut several records in 1961. One of them, "Miracles", became a
regional hit in the Cleveland metro area. They changed their name
again, to The O'Jays, in 1963. Under that name they recorded "Lonely
Drifter", which made the national charts. They had a string of modest
hits and made a few appearances on national teen music shows. It wasn't
until 1972, however, that they had an unqualified, big-time hit record
with "Back Stabbers", which sold a million copies. They kept recording
even through a spate of personnel changes, and the group (this time
with new members) charted again with their biggest hit, "Love Train",
in 1973.
They continued recording through the 1970s, but didn't have another big hit until 1978, with the Top Five "Used to Be My Girl". They went through another string of personnel changes and cut down on their recording in the 1980s and 1990s, although they still did live appearances and drew respectable crowds.
In 2008 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
They continued recording through the 1970s, but didn't have another big hit until 1978, with the Top Five "Used to Be My Girl". They went through another string of personnel changes and cut down on their recording in the 1980s and 1990s, although they still did live appearances and drew respectable crowds.
In 2008 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
