BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY - AFRICAN AMERICAN " WILLIAM POWELL " HE WAS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE CANTON, OHIO BASED MUSICAL GROUP " THE O'JAYS - GOES INTO THE " HALL OF BLACK GENIUS "

                                                       BLACK      SOCIAL      HISTORY                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

William "Will" Powell
Memorial

Flowers

Birth: Jan. 20, 1942
Canton
Stark County
Ohio, USA
Death: May 26, 1977
Canton
Stark County
Ohio, USA

R&B Vocalist. He was a founding member of the Canton, Ohio-based musical group The O'Jays. He was called "Will" by his fellow members. He was the high tenor of the group. Along with Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, Bill Isles and Bobby Massey the group formed in the summer of 1958 as The Triumphs. Two years later they became the Mascots. In 1961, they released their debut single "Miracles". In 1963 in tribute to a Cleveland, Ohio radio disc jockey Eddie O'Jay they took on the name O'Jays Boys and then The O'Jays. They had their first hit "Lonely Drifter" that same year. With Bill Isles and Bobby Massey leaving the group, they were now a trio who joined songwriters Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff at Philadelphia International Records. During the l970's they recorded a string of hits; "Back Stabbers", "Love Train", "For the Love of Money", "Give the People What They Want", "I Love Music," and many others. Suffering from advanced colon cancer and a drug addiction, William had to stop touring with the group in 1976, he died of cancer two years after being diagnosed in 1975. The O'Jays were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004 and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. (bio by: Babe) 
 
Burial:
Forest Hill Cemetery 
Canton
Stark County
Ohio, USA
Plot: Oakmere Div. J 537