They met Marc Gordon recording under the group name LeVert – four of their seven albums went platinum. In 1984, Levert's two sons Gerald and Sean, both still in high school, announced that they wanted to follow their father's musical background. Their EMI debut album, "Let Me Touch You", went to number three R&B and included "Lovin' You", which became a number-one R&B hit in the summer of 1987. The O'Jays later signed with EMI-Manhattan Records and Levert and Williams began co-writing and producing their own tracks. In 1969, The O'Jays signed with Philadelphia International Records where they began to release records under the new label. The Mascots' popularity grew as their music was broadcast on Cleveland radio stations. They traveled to Cincinnati to canvas King Records whose President Sid Nathan changed their name to The Mascots and signed them to his label. The Triumphs played locally in Canton opening for different acts, playing 'sock hops'. While at high school, he teamed up with classmates Walter Williams, William Powell, Bobby Massey and Bill Isles to form a group called the Triumphs. As Levert continued singing into his teenage years, he became a recognized voice in the church choir, sang in school plays and performed regularly on a gospel radio show. He attended church regularly and eventually joined the church choir. Levert was born in Bessemer, Alabama, but was raised in Canton, Ohio, where he moved at the age of six. He is the father of Gerald Levert (1966–2006) and Sean Levert (1968–2008). It features production by Steve Greenberg, Mike Mangini, Betty Wright and Sam Hollander, as well as a songwriting credit from Bruno Mars (“Enjoy Yourself”).Edward Willis Levert (born June 16, 1942) is an American singer, best known as the lead vocalist of The O'Jays. The album was inspired by the social injustice in America. In 2019, The O’Jays released their final album, The Last Word. Please come join us as we play the music we have shared together over the past 60 years, one last time.” It is time for us to say goodbye and we would like to do it in person. This tour is a celebration of all of our lives and the struggles and joys that got us to today. Levert added, “I was thinking that I would quietly retire, but our fans and my body weren’t having it…The love and physical benefits of performing keeps us on the younger side of our age. But really, we wanted one last tour to say goodbye to our friends, family and fans, and ride The Love Train together, one last time.” Gerald Levert, Walter Williams and Eric Nolan Grant. I will be 60, and Eddie… you can do the rest of the math. Williams jokingly said in a statement, “The reason that this is our last tour is because, between Eddie and I, our ages will be over 160 years old by the end of the tour. So we want you, if you will, all of you people here to put ‘him in your prayers, please, and wish him a speedy recovery.”Įarlier this spring, The O’Jays announced the dates for their farewell tour, which included stops in major cities across the U.S. I wouldn’t have to work so hard (laughs). We wanted him to be - I wanted him to be here. But, he still has the protocol give himself time to heal. He was preparing himself for this moment right here. Eddie Levert was coming to rehearsal every single day. We’ve been rehearsing for the last month - myself, Walter the band.
GERALD EDDIE LEVERT FULL
He sends you all his love, thoughts and prayers, and in return please join us in wishing him a full and speedy recovery,” the group wrote on Facebook.Īt their June 18 concert in Columbus, Ohio, members Grant and Williams took time during their set to explain why Levert wasn’t present. He is recovering, and expects to be back on the road soon, but is still not quite well enough to perform. “Sadly, our very own Eddie Levert caught a severe case of Covid while rehearsing for The Last Stop on The Love Train Tour. In July, The O’Jays released a statement announcing that Levert had contracted the virus. and Eric Nolan Grant, who has been with the group for the last 30 years, will take the stage. However, the legendary group’s tour stop at The Orpheum Theatre Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee, is still on for Sept.
“Due to Eddie Levert getting Covid and still recovering, the final tour should extend into next year… Especially as we’ve had to postpone many of the shows,” The O’Jays’ rep told Rated R&B in a statement.Ī revised itinerary has not been released at the time of publishing. However, member Eddie Levert caught COVID-19 during tour rehearsals, which resulted in a few tour dates getting postponed.Ī rep for The O’Jays confirmed to Rated R&B that Levert, 80, is still recovering from COVID-19. The tour was originally scheduled to conclude Sept. The O’Jays’ farewell tour, Last Stop On The Love Train, will extend into 2023.
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