(New
York NY) - The Apollo Legends
Series sponsored by JPMorgan Chase invites you to get
on the “Love Train” this Valentine’s Day with a special concert starring the O’
Jays at the world famous Apollo Theater.
The O’ Jays
concert will also be the first show after the completion of the theater’s seat
restoration giving concertgoers the first opportunity to enjoy the restored
1940’s style seats. The masters of soul will perform for one night of soul and
romance on Tuesday, February 14th, 8pm.
With their string
of R&B classics, The O’Jays defined American soul
music in the 70’s and placed the “Philly Soul” sound on the musical map . Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005,
the O’Jays have released
some of the greatest music in recorded history. The legendary group is well
known for promoting messages of love through their music, whether the funkiest
of cuts or the sweetest of ballads. Led by the passionate, powerful baritone of
Eddie Levert and the smooth honeyed tones of Walter
Williams, no one can set the mood quite like the O’Jays.
For their Valentine’s Day concert at the Apollo Theater, joined onstage by the
newest member of the group Eric Nolan Grant, the O’Jays
will give their fans some “true soulmance” - O’Jays style.
The O'Jays’ journey began in 1958 when five high school friends
started a singing group by the name of the Triumphs. Originally consisting of
Walter Williams, Bill Isles, Bobby Massey, William Powell and Eddie Levert, the fledgling band went through several transitions
on the road to stardom.By the late 1960's, the group
had changed their name to "The O'Jays" in
honor of their manager DJ Eddie O'Jay and whittled
down to their final three member format with Eddie Levert,
Walter Williams, and William Powell. Though they began charting singles as
early as 1963 with ”Lonely Drifter” and their first Top Ten R&B hit
"I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow (Than I Was Today)", it was when they
joined forces with super writers/producers Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff in the
early 70’s that the O’Jays achieved national
recognition. From the phenomenal success of their debut with Philadelphia
International Records, Backstabbers, in 1972, the O’Jays
became an unstoppable force. The title track, Backstabbers and their first
number #1 pop hit “Love Train” marked the beginning of an incredible run, with
the O’Jays going on to place more than fifty singles
on the R&B charts including the classic For the Love of Money and Used To
Be My Girl. Even after switching labels, producers and members, the O’Jays continued to produce countless hits. They scored
their ninth R&B chart-topper, “Have You Had Your Love Today,” in 1989.
Emotionally Yours (1991) yielded three R&B
smashes, including their choir-filled arrangement of the Bob Dylan-penned title
track.
Now in their 43rd
year of making music together, the celebrated trio have amassed a body of work
that includes 24 Top Ten smashes and 59 total charted songs. The O’Jays have been recognized for their achievements,
receiving several awards over the years and their February 2005 induction into
the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame. With their place in music history firmly locked,
the O’Jays continue to
record and perform pleasing generations of fans the world over.
Since 1934, when
the Apollo Theater first introduced its world-famous "Amateur Night,"
launching the careers of legendary artists like Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown,
Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross and Lauryn Hill, the Apollo has been the nation's premier arena
for emerging and established black and Latino performers. Based in the heart of Harlem, the national
historic landmark hosts major pop, R & B concerts and special events and
continues its tradition of discovering future stars in the syndicated
television show, "Showtime at the Apollo," which is taped at the
world famous venue and airs weekly in over 150 markets nationwide, and the
historic and popular weekly stage show, "Apollo Amateur Night." One
of New York City's top tourist
attractions, the Apollo Theater draws 1.3 million visitors annually.
The world famous
Apollo Theater, “where stars are born and legends are made” ™ is located in the
heart of Harlem at 253 West 125 Street, between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd
(7th Ave.) and Frederick Douglass Blvd (8th Ave.). www.apollotheater.com
Posted: 2/1/06
Source: www.apollotheater.com
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