Music Box: Philly Soul Music Invades Dar Constitution Hall

Summary

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DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. is the scene for Philly Soul music courtesy of The O'Jays, The Whispers and Jeffrey Osborne (Tonight, 8).

The Whispers were formed by two brothers and a few friends singing doo wop harmonies on street corners. Their early hits, "Only Meant to Wet My Feet" and "Mother for My Children," led to a recording contract with Don Cornelius on Soul Train records. It was there that they laid down the hits "And the Beat Goes On" and "I'd Like To Make It With You" (originally recorded by Bread). The hits kept coming right through the eighties with "Lady" and "It's A Love Thang," among others.

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Extract

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Music Box: Philly Soul Music Invades Dar Constitution Hall

And what can you say about The O'Jays? Eddie Levert and Walter Williams formed a gospel duo in 1964 in Canton, Ohio, called The Mascots. After expanding to five members and releasing their first record, "Miracles," the boys were discovered by a Cleveland DJ named Eddie O'Jay. Shortly thereafter the group renamed themselves "The O'Jays."

A struggle for success almost led to the demise of the group after a string of singles failed to find an audience. But the day was saved when The O'Jays caught on with producers Gamble & Huff, a relationship that continued into the '80s. Who could forget hits such as "Backstabbers," "Love Train...

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