R&B legends the O'Jays still riding "Love Train"

MILLION-SELLER

Collaborating with Gamble & Huff and a stable of writers that included McFadden & Whitehead, Thom Bell and Bunny Sigler, the O'Jays copped their first million-selling single, "Back Stabbers" (No. 1 R&B, No. 3 pop), in 1972 and a gold album by the same name. (The group had become a trio a year earlier when Massey opted to become a record producer).

"That groundbreaking song opened the door for the O'Jays," says Levert. "I was amazed at the process -- starting out hearing it only on the piano with Gamble & Huff, then going to a full orchestra. Gamble & Huff hit on what the O'Jays like to do, a soulful hootenanny mixing our gospel background with the Philly sound; a pop edge with gospel on the bottom."

Williams adds, "We benefited also by having two lead singers in the group. Eddie could take a verse or two and then me; we play off each other. William was the tenor, I was the baritone/bass who could sing anything else, and Eddie was the lead who could also sing anything else. Hearing that plus our gospel flair, Gamble & Huff wrote toward that, coming up with very creative and powerful songs."

A seemingly endless string of hits -- party funk, ballads, socially conscious missives -- followed during the next 15 years, including "Love Train," "Put Your Hands Together," "For the Love of Money," "Message in Our Music," "Forever Mine" and "Lovin' You." But then tragedy struck. Powell died of cancer in 1977. Three singers have since stepped in: Sammy Strain from Little Anthony & the Imperials, Nathaniel Best and current member Eric Nolan Grant, who joined the group in 1995.

Leaving Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International label after the top five R&B hit "Let Me Touch You," the O'Jays signed with EMI.

Several more R&B hits ensued, including "Have You Had Your Love Today," "Don't Let Me Down," "Keep On Lovin' Me" and a gospel-flavored cover of Bob Dylan's "Emotionally Yours." The trio also recorded a holiday album, 1991's "Home for Christmas."

Beyond the career-building songs of Gamble & Huff and their vocal prowess, another O'Jays mainstay has been their energetic concert performances. For this, they credit late Tony Award-winning dancer and Motown choreographer Cholly Atkins, who put the guys through rigorous rehearsals starting in 1973.

"His words still echo in our minds," Levert says. "'You may get a hit record today, but a hit act lasts forever.' And the O'Jays are a true testament of that."

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005, the O'Jays have also moonlighted on separate projects. Levert teamed with his late son Gerald on one album and has recorded a solo album. Williams is currently mixing a solo album of pop and R&B classics while Grant, a former background singer with ex-Temptations member Dennis Edwards, is working on a film about his musical journey. It's slated to start shooting this summer.

Separate ventures aside, the O'Jays always come back together. In 2003, the group appeared in the 2003 movie "The Fighting Temptations" with Beyonce Knowles. Upcoming group projects include another holiday album, a live concert DVD taped at the Apollo and the June 7 taping of a PBS Philadelphia International special. Coming to stores June 10 is the newly expanded compilation "The Essential O'Jays."