The O'Jays are living legends…American treasures. The term "living legend" is often overused and abused, but with The O'Jays, well, there's little argument that the honorable tag truly applies. With their place in modern music secure, The O'Jays could have cruise-controlled to that comfy hammock on a sandy beach, umbrella-decorated drinks in hand. Why? (1) An ocean-wide body of work that spawned 24 Top Ten smashes and 59 total charted songs. (2) Incredibly energetic and dynamic live shows. (3) Mad respect for their Olympian vocals. And (4) their social and political impact on generations and nations.??But doing things slowly is not Eddie Levert, Sr., Walter Williams, Sr. and Eric Nolan Grant’s modus operandi. After 40+ years making such international hits as "Back Stabbers," "For The Love Of Money," "Darlin' Darlin' Baby," "Love Train," "I Love Music," "Use Ta Be My Girl" and "Have You Had Your Love Today,".
There have been “four faces” of The O’Jays. This vocal group from Canton, Ohio originated with Eddie Levert, SR., Walter Williams, SR., William Powell, Bobby Massey and Bill Isles and they were named after Cleveland DJ Eddie O’Jay. Isles left the group in 1965. Massey left to become a record producer in 1971 and Levert, Williams and Powell continues as a trio. Powell retired from touring due to illness in late 1975, passing at the age of 35 in 1977 and was replaced by Sammy Strain, formerly with Little Anthony & The Imperials. Strain returned to his former group in 1993 and was replaced by Nathaniel Best. After the departure in 1995 of Nathaniel Best, Eddie Levert, SR. and Walter Williams, SR. reached out to Eric Nolan Grant, a gifted vocalist who was already a part of the group’s extended Cleveland-based musical family. Their chart-topping album “Love You To Tears” marked Grant’s first appearance with the group.
Chaka Khan is one of the world's most gifted and celebrated musicians, with a rich musical legacy, the 10-time GRAMMY® Award-winner is looking forward to a celebration of a lifetime. A songwriter, actor, author, philanthropist, entrepreneur and activist, Chaka Khan has influenced generations of recording artists. She has the rare ability to sing in seven music genres, including R&B, pop, rock, gospel, country, world music and classical. Affectionately known around the world as Chaka, she is revered by millions of fans as well as her peers for her timeless, classic and unmatched signature music style and ability. The late, great Miles Davis often said, "She [Chaka] sings like my horn." And the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin says, "[Chaka] is a one- of- a -kind, premier vocalist."
Tickets are on sale this Friday, April 11 at 10 a.m. at www.metrotix.com, or by call 314 534-1111
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