The O'Jays tickets

'The O'Jays Tickets'

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The O'Jays enjoyed a decade as one of the most unstoppable forces in R&B music during the '70s with iconic hits such as Back Stabbers and Love Train. It has continued releasing work in the decades since, including a Christmas album in 2010, and still puts on energetic live concerts around the US. Music enthusiasts consider the band among the best soul groups along with

The Spinners

, and it certainly is the most renowned of the progressive Philadelphia soul movement. Forming in Canton, Ohio, in 1958, The O'Jays drew its initial inspiration from a Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers concert. After several successful hits in the '60s, The O'Jays saw its real breakthrough into stardom with

Back Stabbers

in 1972.

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'A Band of Big Changes'

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When The O'Jays formed with its five members fresh out of McKinley High School, it called itself The Triumphs. In 1960, it changed the group name to The Mascots and recorded its first single, Miracles, in 1961. When Eddie O'Jay, a legendary radio DJ, took the group under his wing, The Mascots took on its permanent name, The O'Jays, in 1963. By the time it released its debut album

Comin' Thru

in 1965, it was down to four members as Bill Isles had left. Although not its official breakthrough, I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow (Than I Was Today) of 1967 was its first Rhythm and Blues Top 10 single. Seeking fresh input for its art, The O'Jays collaborated with the inspirational songwriters Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff in 1968. Huff and Gamble contributed funk, elaborate string and horn orchestra and socially outspoken lyrics that marked The O'Jays' transition to Philly Soul. Despite the departure of Bobby Massey in 1971, The O'Jays would see its greatest success with several hits from its RIAA gold-certified album

Back Stabbers

. Back Stabbers and Love Train both reached No. 1 on the

Billboard

Pop Singles chart in 1972, with other hits from the album featuring in the Top 10. The O'Jays lost William Powell to cancer in 1977 and brought in Sammy Strain. The third spot in the trio would prove to be the most transient, with Nathanial Best and Eric Grant also filling that spot over time. The O'Jays released another Top 5 single in 1978, Use Ta Be My Girl. Its success abroad is evident from the four Top 20 hits on the UK Singles chart between 1972 and 1983. A few hits also charted in Australia and Canada. The group saw a minor resurgence in the late '80s with Lovin' You from

Let Me Touch You

reaching No. 1 on the R&B chart in 1987.

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'Where can I get The O'Jays tickets?'

'As the largest ticket marketplace in the world, StubHub is your best source for The O'Jays tickets.'

'What awards have The O'Jays won?'

'The O'Jays won the Rhythm & Blues Foundation Pioneer Award in 1998 and the NAACP Image Hall of Fame Award in 1992. In 2002, it was nominated for a Best Traditional R&B Performance Grammy based on For the Love of Money (released in 1973). The group was an inductee into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame the subsequent year. Honorary accolades continued as it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2006 for Love Train and again in 2016 on the merits of For The Love of Money. Its efforts culminated in BET's Life Time Achievement Award in 2009.'

'What RIAA gold and platinum-certified albums have The O'Jays released?'

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The O'Jays' first gold-certified album was

Back Stabbers

, off which the title single also became certified gold. Other US gold albums include

Survival

(1975) and

Message in the Music

(1976). Rounding out the list of major gold-certified albums for The O'Jays are

Travelin' at the Speed of Thought

(1977) and

Emotionally Yours

(1991).

Ship Ahoy

(1973),

Family Reunion

(1975),

So Full of Love

(1978) and

Identify Yourself

(1979) all received platinum certification in the US.

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'What is a typical setlist for The O'Jays?'

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At

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

2019, The O'Jays performed songs such as For the Love of Money, its top hit Love Train, Livin' for the Weekend, I Love Music, Use Ta Be My Girl and Back Stabbers. The band's The Last Word Tour 2019 will likely feature songs off its latest album of the same name. You may hear Stand Up (Show Love), Above the Law and a newly remastered version of I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow (Than I Was Today).

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'Who are the members of The O'Jays?'

'The original members of The O' Jays were Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, Bobby Massey, Bill Isles and William Powell. Currently, the band is a trio comprised of Walter Williams, Eddie Levert and Eric Grant.'

'What can I expect at The O'Jays concerts?'

'The O'Jays bring an emotional depth to its energetic performances. Fans enjoy the excitement inherent in the band's powerful stage presence enhanced by the members' often color-coordinated suits. Eddie Levert sings lead. Walter Williams' broad vocal range complements both Levert's high and raspy tenor and Eric Grant's silky vocals. Elegantly choreographed dance moves are additional highlights of a classic performance.'

'Is The O'Jays touring in 2019?'

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The O'Jays have tour dates planned in 2019, including Lincoln, San Diego and Pomona in California. It has a co-headliner scheduled with

Kool & The Gang

in Asheville, NC. Other cities the band plans to visit include Tacoma, Wash., at the

Emerald Queen Casino

, and Cleveland, Ohio, at The

Playhouse Square Center

. The latter also will feature the

Isley Brothers

.

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