The O'Jays

USA, 1958–now

Philadelphia soul group whose Gamble and Huff productions ('Love Train', 'Back Stabbers', 'For the Love of Money') combined gospel-derived vocals with orchestral arrangement and socially direct lyrics.

MusicRoots documents 4 artists who influenced The O'Jays and 1 artist The O'Jays influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced The O'Jays?

• Gamble and Huff — The O'Jays became the flagship vocal group of Gamble and Huff's Philadelphia International, who wrote and produced their run of soul-into-disco hits.
• The Temptations — The O'Jays cited the Temptations as a defining influence — the polished Motown vocal-group model behind their Philadelphia soul.
• The Impressions — Curtis Mayfield's Impressions — gospel harmony with social conscience — were a direct model for the O'Jays' message-driven soul.
• Curtis Mayfield — Mayfield's socially-charged soul songwriting shaped the conscience running through the O'Jays' Gamble & Huff hits.

Which artists did The O'Jays influence?

• Hall & Oates — The O'Jays' Eddie Levert was among the Philly-soul voices Hall drew from — the local soul tradition Hall & Oates translated into pop.