A double billing of soul
MORRISTOWN — It’s a night of classic soul featuring a double bill of Gladys Knight and The O’Jays, Friday, Aug. 28 at Mayo Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $85 to $150.
The great ones endure, and Gladys Knight has long been one of the greatest. Very few singers over the last fifty years have matched her unassailable artistry. This seven-time Grammy winner has enjoyed #1 hits in Pop, Gospel, R&B and Adult Contemporary, and has triumphed in film, television and live performance.
Knight is known for such chart-topping hits as “Midnight Train to Georgia,” “Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me,” and “Neither One of us.” Her most recent release, “Where My Heart Belongs”, was a new inspiration gospel album and won an NAACP Image Award for “Outstanding Gospel Album.”
On the small screen, she has been the Lifetime original movie "Seasons of Love," FOX TV’s hit series "Empire, Apollo Live" and as a contestant on "Dancing with the Stars."
The O'Jays are a connection to an era and a sound that formed the soundtrack for the lives of several generations. The O’Jays are still hitting the road with the same electrifying energy they’ve had for more than 50 years.
In 1963, the band took the name "The O'Jays" in tribute to Cleveland radio disc jockey Eddie O'Jay. Several members have changed, but the core, original lead singers Eddie Levert and Walter Williams, continue to front the group. In 1972, The O’Jays scored the first number 1 and million-seller, “Backstabbers.” Subsequently, they succeeded with various chart‐topping pop and R&B singles including “Love Train,” “Put Your Hands Together,” “For The Love of Money,” “I Love Music” and “Use Ta Be My Girl.” This success propelled The O’Jays to be the first black vocal group to perform in arenas throughout America during the 70s and 80s.
Eddie and Walter have a rare lifelong bond that few will ever experience; friends and partners for almost 65 years.
“We still appreciate our friendship, dedication to each other and the group and our love for good music," Walter says. "We probably could have had great solo careers, but I don't think either one of us could have ever have been as big as The O'Jays."
Walter Williams could be considered a hero as he has battled Multiple Sclerosis or “MS” for 30 years and continues to execute his dance moves with perfection when performing on-stage with the group. Walter is also a volunteer National Ambassador for the MS Society and a spokesperson for MS Active Source. Eddie Levert is known for his raspy voice and has a range that takes him from alto to second tenor. Levert teamed up with his son Gerald for a duet on “Baby Hold On To Me”, which hit number one on the R&B charts. Eddie has also mentored his very successful sons Gerald and Sean who became major forces in the music industry.
The O'Jays were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2005 and honored with BET's Life Time Achievement Award in 2009. In 2013, they were inducted into The Official R&B Music Hall of Fame. Today, the songs of The O’Jays are still being used in many movies, commercials and TV shows. “For The Love of Money” continues to be the theme song for “The Apprentice.”
Eddie Levert Sr., Walter Williams Sr. and Eric Nolan Grant, who joined the group in 1995, continue to thrill fans today. Throughout their career The O'Jays have achieved 10 Gold albums, nine Platinum albums and 10 number one hits.
Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and more information contact the box office at 973-539-8008 or www.mayoarts.org.