Powell had more difficulty, becoming addicted to drugs before tragically dying of cancer in 1977. With popularity came the dangers of stardom: women and drugs. The group succumbed to both vices, but Williams and Levert were able to bring themselves back and continue developing as performers. Their mid-70s albums, especially Ship Ahoy, are worth seeking out.

And, as the vehicle for G&H's social statements, the group released some of the most insightful, relevant album cuts of the decade. Songs like 'For The Love of Money,' 'Livin' For the Weekend,' and the classic 'Use Ta Be My Girl' all appeared to be a year or two ahead of what everyone else was doing, and made each new O'Jays release an event. They generally received the best songs and the most creative Gamble & Huff arrangements, with far more hits than misses. The contrast of the gruff, electrifying voice of Eddie Levert and the mellifluous tones of Walter Williams gave the trio the ability to masterfully handle the funkiest cuts Gamble & Huff could throw at them and yet also handle ballads beautifully. The haunting song with the great intro (later sampled by Angie Stone on 'I Wish I Didn't Miss You') became a monster hit, and was followed by the even bigger 'Love Train.' It also began a string of critically acclaimed and commercially popular albums.ĭuring the period of Philadelphia International's 70s dominance of the airwaves, it was clear that the O'Jays were the foundation of the house. Backstabbers was a triumph, highlighted by the McFadden & Whitehead-penned title track. And it was that lineup that teamed with rising young Philadelphia songwriter/producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, and recorded the group's first album on Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International Records, Backstabbers. Originally a regionally popular act in the Canton and Cleveland, Ohio areas (and in fact named after local deejay Eddie O'Jay), the quintet (Levert, Walter Williams, Bill Isles, Willam Powell, Bobby Massey) had a number of minor hits together on Chess Records in the late 60s and early 70s but frustration with their lack of real success pared the group down to the trio of Levert, Williams and Powell by 1972.

Eddie levert o jays