Post by 1finemrg on Apr 11, 2019 13:05:14 GMT -5
Bill Isles, a founding member of the O'Jays, passed away March 28 after a long battle with cancer. Bill was with the group when they were known as The Mascots and The Triumphs.
In 1963, they took the name O'Jays as a tribute to Cleveland disk jockey Eddie O'Jay. The group had moderate success on the R&B charts and mid-charted on the Hot 100 several times during the 60s.
Frustrated with the lack of a breakthrough hit and a contemplated breakup, Bill and Bobby Massey left the group in the early 70s. Their producers at the time Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, started their own Philadelphia International label and the remaining members continued as a trio and began their hit-making years with the release of "Back Stabbers". Bill served as their road manager until 1974.
He and his family setup residence in Oceanside, CA in the early 80s until his passing.
Although Bobby Massey was included, sadly Bill Isles was excluded from induction when the O'Jays entered the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2005.
From 1965 and peaking at #48 on the Hot 100, this was their highest charting single prior to their hit making years. Featuring Bill's bass vocals, it was a cover of a song originally recorded by Benny Spellman.
Lipstick Traces (On A Cigarette) - O'Jays
Obituary
In 1963, they took the name O'Jays as a tribute to Cleveland disk jockey Eddie O'Jay. The group had moderate success on the R&B charts and mid-charted on the Hot 100 several times during the 60s.
Frustrated with the lack of a breakthrough hit and a contemplated breakup, Bill and Bobby Massey left the group in the early 70s. Their producers at the time Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, started their own Philadelphia International label and the remaining members continued as a trio and began their hit-making years with the release of "Back Stabbers". Bill served as their road manager until 1974.
He and his family setup residence in Oceanside, CA in the early 80s until his passing.
Although Bobby Massey was included, sadly Bill Isles was excluded from induction when the O'Jays entered the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2005.
From 1965 and peaking at #48 on the Hot 100, this was their highest charting single prior to their hit making years. Featuring Bill's bass vocals, it was a cover of a song originally recorded by Benny Spellman.
Lipstick Traces (On A Cigarette) - O'Jays
Obituary