The O'Jays are saying goodbye after more than 60 years as they kick off their final tour later this summer in July.
Concert dates have not been announced yet, but O’Jays founding member Walter Williams said, “The reason that this is our last tour is because, between Eddie [Levert] and I, our ages will be over 160 years old by the end of the tour. I will be 60, and Eddie... you can do the rest of the math. 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.” The joking WIlliams is 78.
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. This tour is a celebration of all of our lives and the struggles and joys that got us to today. It is time for us to say goodbye and we would like to do it in person. Please come join us as we play the music we have shared together over the past 60 years, one last time.”
The O’Jays were originally formed in 1958 as The Mascots. They changed their name in 1963 as a tribute to Cleveland radio disc jockey Eddie O'Jay.
The O’Jays have 10 gold albums, nine platinum albums along with 10 number-one hits. The legendary group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2005, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2005, and the Official R&B Music Hall of Fame in 2013.
In 2009 they were also honored with BET’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]