O'Jays ~ Love Train 1972 Disco Purrfection Version

The triumphant chart topping "Love Train" finally put the stamp of public approval on the Philadelphia International sound and the men who recorded it, The O'Jays. Eddie Levert and Walter Williams were schoolmates when they formed a gospel duo. In 1958 they added William Powell, Bobby Massey and Bill Isles and turned their attentions to the soul and pop charts. Dubbing themselves The Triumphs until 1961 when they signed with King Records, The Mascots released four non descript singles. A Cleveland DJ, Eddie O'Jay took an interest in them and booked them into small clubs and introduced them to Don Davis. The band was so appreciative of Eddie's efforts, they renamed themselves The O'Jays. HB Barnum signed them to Los Angeles' Imperial Records, helped them hone their vocal style and got them their first charting single, "Lonely Drifter" which peaked at #93 nationally. The band also did background vocals for Nat King Cole, but by 1966 were stone cold and moved back to Cleveland. Bell records signed them, released three singles and then released the band from the label. One fateful night at the Apollo Theatre, they appeared with The Intruders who were being produced by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. The dynamic duo signed the O'Jays to their Neptune label, and put out three singles that failed to ignite due to the closing of the label. Back again to Cleveland, the band kept touch with Gamble & Huff. At this time, the Holland Dozier Holland hit machine left Motown and bid on the group, with Motown also expressing interest, bu the band turned them both down in favor of a new label being created called Philadephia International by Gamble & Huff. Their first LP, Backstabbers contained their first hit "Backstabbers" which peaked at #1 R&B and #3 pop. The follow up was "992 Arguments" For their third single, the label chose the song at the end of side 2, "Love Train". Released on January 20, 1973 it hit #1 for the week ending March 24, 1973 and gave the O'Jays the only #1 single they would ever have.

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