The O'Jays

In 2005, the O'Jays will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
. In the new millenium, rap groups such as The Diplomats have been constantly speeding-up their records to provide a background for their songs. In 1999 Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7018 Hollywood Blvd., an honor that acknowledges both their musical achievements and their humanitarian involvement with such organizations as Greenpeace, the National Veteran's Foundation, USA Harvest, Rock And Wrap It Up, and AmFAR (the American Foundation for AIDS Research). Their latest album is For the Love... in 2001 (see 2001 in music). In 2002 the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Later in the 90s, the band did little recording, though they remained a popular live draw. Previous recipients of the university's award include Ray Charles and Ella Fitzgerald.

Though they continued charting on the R&B charts in the late 80s and early 1990s, the O'Jays never again achieved pop success. In April 1996, Petty received UCLA's George And Ira Gershwin Award For Lifetime Musical Achievement. 1978's (see 1978 in music) "Use Ta Be My Girl" was their final Top Five hit, though they continued scraping the bottom of the R&B charts throughout the 1980s. Let Me Touch You (1987; see 1987 in music) was a breakthrough of sorts, and included the #1 R&B hit "Lovin' You". As a songwriter, Tom Petty was acknowledged in May 1996 with the prestigious Golden Note Award from ASCAP. After adding Sammy Strain (of Little Anthony & the Imperials), the O'Jays continued recording, though with limited success. At the 1994 ceremony, Petty was also presented with the Video Vanguard Award, citing his longtime contributions to the field. During the remainder of the 1970s, the O'Jays continued releasing chart-topping singles, including "For the Love of Money", "Let Me Make Love to You", "Give the People What They Want" and "I Love Music". Powell died of cancer in 1977 (see 1977 in music). Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers won the same award in 1994 with the video "Mary Jane's Last Dance".

The O'Jay's (now a quartet after the departure of Isles) had their first hit with "I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow (Than I Was Today)"; in spite of its success, the group was considering quitting the music business until Gamble & Huff, a legendary team of producers and songwriters, took an interest in the group. With Gamble & Huff, the O'Jays emerged at the forefront of Philadelphia soul with Back Stabbers (1972; see 1972 in music), a pop hit. Other Wildflowers achievements included Best Male Video Award for "You Don't Know How It Feels" at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards. Their debut LP was Comin' Through. Wildflowers also garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Album. They took the name "the O'Jays", in tribute to radio disc jockey Eddie O'Jay (Toop, 1991), in 1963 (see 1963 in music) and released "Lonely Drifter", which charted nationally. In 1994 he received another two Grammy Awards: Best Male Rock Vocal Performance ("You Don't Know How It Feels") and Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical). Originally known as The Triumphs, followed by The Mascots, the friends began recording with "Miracles" in 1961 (see 1961 in music), which was a moderate hit in the Cleveland area. Petty earned a Grammy Award in 1989 for Best Rock Performance By A Duo or Group With Vocal for his work with the Traveling Wilburys.

They formed the group in Canton, Ohio in 1958 (see 1958 in music) while attending high school. In that year he received his first nomination for his collaboration with Stevie Nicks, "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" in the category of Best Rock Performance By A Duo or Group With Vocal. The O'Jays were a 1970s Philadelphia soul group, originally consisting of Walter Williams, Bill Isles, Bobby Massey, William Powell and Eddie Levert. He has been honored with 10 Grammy Award nominations since 1981. ISBN 1852422432. In 1994, Petty released his second solo album, Wildflowers, which also included the hit singles "You Don't Know How It Feels", "You Wreck Me", "It's Good to Be King", "A Higher Place" and "Honey Bee". New York: Serpent's Tail. It was again produced by Jeff Lynne and includes the hit singles "Learning To Fly" and "Into The Great Wide Open".

New York. Petty rejoined with the Heartbreakers for his next album, Into the Great Wide Open in 1991. Rap Attack 2: African Rap To Global Hip Hop. 3 (1990), followed but couldn't quite live up to the expectations. Toop, David (1991). A second Wilburys album, mysteriously called Traveling Wilburys Vol. Roy Orbison's sudden death casted a shadow on the success and shortly afterwards Del Shannon, whom the remaining Wilburys had in mind as a replacement, comitted suicide.

1 (1988). But the song "Handle Me With Care" was such a success that the group decided to record a full album, Traveling Wilburys Vol. Traveling Wilburys started as a joke in order to record a B-side for a George Harrison single. Prior to Full Moon Fever, Lynne and Petty worked together in the all-stars band Traveling Wilburys, which also counted Bob Dylan, George Harrison and Roy Orbison) as members.

1986 Pack up the Plantation: Live! (live). 1987 Let Me Up (I've had Enough). 1 (Traveling Wilburys). 1988 Traveling Wilburys Vol.

1989 Full Moon Fever (solo). 3 (Traveling Wilburys). 1990 Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1991 Into the Great Wide Open.