Edward Willis “Eddie” Levert (born June 16, 1942) is an American singer–songwriter and actor. Levert is best known as the lead vocalist of the R&B/Soul vocal group, The O’Jays.
Levert was born in Birmingham, Alabama, but was raised in Canton, Ohio. While attending high school, he met buddies Walter Williams, Bill Isles, Bobby Massey, and William Powell. They were motivated to sing after seeing a performance from Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers. They formed in 1958. The O’Jays were originally known as The Triumphs and The Mascots. They were officially known as The O’Jays after they got their name from DJ Eddie O’Jay. Their first big hit was “Lonely Drifter”in 1963 which was lifted off their debut album Comin Through. The O’Jays are mainly known by their hits “Back Stabbers”, “Love Train” and “For the Love of Money”. Levert starred and performed in the movie (The Fighting Temptations) and performed the song “He Still Loves Me”in 2003. Levert and his group members received the BET Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2009 BET Awards. Eddie Levert Sr.
Written by Dianne Washington