When you hear that iconic, driving bassline of "For the Love of Money," you aren't just hearing a song. You’re hearing the literal heartbeat of 1970s soul. But if you ask the average person to name the members of the O'Jays, they usually stall after Eddie Levert. It’s a bit of a shame, honestly. While Eddie is the growling, soulful engine of the group, the O'Jays were never a one-man show. They were a vocal powerhouse that survived decades of industry shifts, personal tragedies, and the fickle nature of the Billboard charts.
They started in Canton, Ohio. Not exactly the first place you think of when you imagine the birthplace of "The Sound of Philadelphia," right? In 1958, they were just high school kids called The Triumphs, then The Mascots. Eventually, they took the name The O'Jays as a tribute to Cleveland radio DJ Eddie O'Jay. He was a mentor. He was the guy who gave them a shot.
The Classic Trio: The Faces We All Know
Most people think of the O'Jays as a trio. That's because their biggest hits on Philadelphia International Records featured the definitive lineup of Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, and William Powell.
Eddie Levert is the voice. You know it instantly. It’s gritty, it’s church-trained, and it has this incredible ability to sound like it’s breaking and soaring at the exact same time. He’s the guy who took the lead on "Love Train." If Eddie represents the fire, Walter Williams is the ice. Walter has a smoother, more refined baritone that anchored the group’s harmonies for over sixty years. Seriously, think about that. Walter and Eddie stayed together from childhood until their retirement tour in 2023. That kind of longevity is basically unheard of in the music business.
Then there was William Powell.
He was the choreography guy and a vital part of their early success. Powell’s contribution to the "PIR" (Philadelphia International Records) era can't be overstated. He was there for Back Stabbers. He was there for Ship Ahoy. Sadly, he passed away from cancer in 1977 at the young age of 35. His death was a massive blow, not just to the sound of the group, but to the brotherhood they’d built since their teens.
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The Early Days as a Quintet
Before they were a trio, they were five. This is the part of the story that often gets skipped in the "Greatest Hits" liner notes.
The original members of the O'Jays included Bobby Massey and Bill Isles. During the mid-60s, they were a soul group trying to find their footing on various labels, including Imperial and Bell. They had some minor success with "Lipstick Traces (On A Cigarette)" and "Stand In For Love."
Bill Isles left in 1965. Bobby Massey stuck around a bit longer, but he exited right before the group signed with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff in 1972. Massey wanted to move into the business side of things—production and management. It’s wild to think about, but the group almost broke up entirely before their biggest era began. They were frustrated. They were tired of the "chitlin' circuit" grind.
If Massey hadn't left, would they have achieved that sleek, polished Philly Soul sound? It’s hard to say. The shift to a trio forced them to tighten their harmonies. It made them leaner.
Sammy Strain and the Second Act
How do you replace a founding member like William Powell? You find a veteran.
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In 1976, as Powell’s health declined, Sammy Strain joined the fold. Sammy wasn't a rookie; he came straight from Little Anthony and the Imperials. He stayed with the O'Jays for 16 years. If you grew up in the late 70s or 80s, Sammy was an O'Jay to you. He’s the one you see in the videos for "Use ta Be My Girl" and "Lovin' You."
Sammy eventually went back to the Imperials in 1992, which led to a bit of a revolving door for a few years. Nathaniel Best stepped in for a stint, followed by Eric Nolan Grant in 1995. Eric turned out to be the "forever" third member, sticking with Eddie and Walter for nearly thirty years until the group finally decided to hang up the sequins.
Why the Lineup Changes Actually Mattered
Every time the members of the O'Jays shifted, the music shifted slightly too. The quintet era was raw, mid-century R&B. The Powell era was the peak of sophisticated, socially conscious soul. The Sammy Strain era leaned into the "Quiet Storm" and early 80s R&B vibes.
You can’t talk about this group without mentioning the tragedy that followed the members, specifically Eddie Levert. Losing both of his sons—Gerald and Sean Levert—within a two-year span (2006-2008) would have broken most people. Gerald was a superstar in his own right, and Sean had joined his brother in the group LeVert.
The O'Jays' music became a form of therapy. You can hear the weight of that grief in Eddie’s later performances. He didn't just sing about "Stairway to Heaven"; he lived the pain that necessitates that kind of song.
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The Final Lineup (2020s)
- Eddie Levert: Lead vocals (1958–2023)
- Walter Williams: Baritone/Tenor (1958–2023)
- Eric Nolan Grant: Tenor (1995–2023)
The Legacy of the Sound
What makes the O'Jays different from The Spinners or The Temptations? It’s the message. Under the guidance of Gamble and Huff, the members of the O'Jays became the voices of "Black Capitalism" and social justice.
Take "Back Stabbers." It sounds like a dance track, but it’s actually a paranoid, tense warning about betrayal. Or "Ship Ahoy," which is a harrowing, ten-minute epic about the Middle Passage. Most groups wouldn't touch that material. The O'Jays leaned into it.
They weren't just singers; they were messengers. Walter Williams once mentioned in an interview that they felt a responsibility to say something. They weren't just there to look good in matching suits (though they definitely did). They wanted to challenge the listener.
Tracking Down the Best of the O'Jays
If you're trying to really understand the impact of the different members of the O'Jays, you have to look beyond the "Best Of" compilations. You need to dive into the album tracks.
- Check out the album Ship Ahoy (1973): This is the definitive Powell-era work. It’s dark, complex, and beautiful.
- Listen to "Give The People What They Want": It perfectly captures the transition between the 60s protest era and the 70s groove.
- Watch their 2005 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction: You can see the genuine love between Eddie, Walter, and Sammy Strain. It’s rare to see men in this industry stay that close for that long.
- The 2023 "Last Stop on the Love Train" Tour: This was their final bow. Even in their 80s, Eddie and Walter’s voices remained remarkably intact.
Actionable Steps for the Soul Fan
To truly appreciate the history of the members of the O'Jays, take these steps to explore their discography properly.
- Audit the Imperial Years: Search for "The O'Jays Imperial Records" on your streaming service. Listen to the quintet. You'll hear the doo-wop roots that eventually became the Philly sound.
- Compare the Leads: Listen to a song where Walter Williams takes the lead (like "Help (Somebody Please)") versus an Eddie Levert lead. Understanding the contrast between their styles is key to understanding the group's dynamic.
- Watch the Documentary "The Sound of Philadelphia": It provides the necessary context for why the O'Jays were the perfect vessel for Gamble and Huff's "Message Music."
- Follow Eric Nolan Grant: He’s been very active in keeping the group's legacy alive on social media and through his own solo projects, offering a bridge between the classic era and the modern day.
The story of the O'Jays isn't just a list of names. It’s a 65-year saga of resilience. Whether they were five guys from Ohio or a seasoned trio on their final tour, the core mission remained: delivering the "Message in the Music" without ever losing the groove.