Eddie O'Jay was an extraordinary & dynamic pioneer of R&B radio. He was from the old fast-talking school. His signature phrase was, "Don't loose your head. You need your head. Your brain is in it. You hear?" He signed off every show with the sound of his Corvette (Stingray) driving away & a few minutes later you could actually see him driving through the neighborhood. It was a mind blowing experience. His radio career was varied, yet very productive. It began in 1951 as a Disc Jockey at WOKY in Milwaukee WI. From there, he went to WABQ in Cleveland OH, & WUFO in Buffalo NY, finally working his way to the "Soul at Sunrise" show on WWRL, WBLS and WLIB in New York City. Mr. O'Jay was fortunate to have discovered, while at WABQ, a fine group of five young beginners in the business called The Mascots from Canton & Masilon, Ohio. He was asked to manage & direct the group which in 1963 took his name thus becoming The O'Jays. The rest, as they say, is history. After a distinguished 27 year career in radio, in the United States, he expanded to include an internationally syndicated radio program on "Swazi Music Radio," in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1980. Because of the familiarity & popularity of his voice, he was nominated & inducted into the Black Radio Hall of Fame. His voice was heard on commercials for Chevrolet, Schlitz Malt Liquor, Sears, Perdue Chicken, Lipton Tea, Campbell's Soup & on "Sesame Street". He was also privileged to have performed in theatrical productions which emanated from the Karamu House in Cleveland such as "My Sister Eileen," "Wonderful Town," "Golden Boy," & "The Connection." His memorial service was held at St. Peter's Church. There wasn't an empty seat. Percy Sutton (owner of the Apollo Theater) spoke, Sarah Dash (singer with Patti LaBelle & The Bluebells & later LaBelle) sang & Rev. Calvin Butts delivered the eulogy. There were telegrams from The Isley Brothers & Berry Gordy (CEO, Motown). Imhotep Gary Byrd said, "When I was growing up in Buffalo, there was no black radio station and no black jocks. Eddie O'Jay was the first black voice I heard on the radio. He hit that town like a tornado.

As you can see, Mr. O'Jay was actually FAMOUS, but I'm still trying to flesh out details pertaining to his "colorful" life...Internet data pertaining to him is, for some unknown reason, very scarce & has got me wondering who did he tick off. I can still hear Mr. O'Jay's radio sign off song, by jazz great David "Fathead" Newman, "Hard Times". Vintage dark chocolate & classically good soul music!!!