10 Influential Musicans from Ohio

1. The Isley Brothers (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Genre: Disco, Doo-Wop, Funk, R&B, Rock, Soul

Considered to have the "longest, most influential, and most diverse career," the group began performing in 1954. The members included the five siblings: O'Kelly Jr. (vocals), Rudolph (vocals), Ronald (vocals), Ernie (lead guitar, drums) and Marvin (bass guitar) Isley; as well as family member, Chris Jasper (keyboards, synthesizer).

The group's most notable singles include:

• "Shout" (1959)
• "Twist & Shout" (1962) - Originally recorded as "Shake It Up, Baby" by the Top Notes
• "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)" (1966)
• "Behind a Painted Smile" (1968)
• "It's Your Thing" (1969)
• "I Turned You On" (1969)
• "Put Yourself In My Place" (1969) - Originally recorded by the Elgins
• "Love the One You're With" (1970)
• "Pop That Thang" (1972)
• "That Lady (Part 1)" (1972)
• "Summer Breeze" (1974) - Originally recorded by Seals & Crofts
• "Fight the Power (Part 1 & 2)" (1975)
• "For the Love of You" (1975)
• "Harvest for the World" (1976)
• "The Pride (Part 1)" (1977)
• "Livin' in the Life" (1977)
• "Take Me to the Next Phase (Part 1)" (1978)
• "I Wanna Be with You (Part 1)" (1979)
• "It's a Disco Night (Rock Don't Stop)" (1979)
• "Don't Say Goodnight (It's Time for Love) (Parts 1 & 2)" (1980)
• "Between the Sheets" (1983)

When "Fight the Power (Part 1 & 2)" was released, the radio censored the lyrics due to the songs usage of the term, bullshit.

The song, "Between the Sheets," has been heavily sampled by hip-hop artists, such as Jay-Z, Common, and Drake. The most notable sampling was in the Notorious B.I.G. song, "Big Poppa" (1995).

In 1992, the Isley Brothers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

2. The Ohio Express (Ohio)

Genre: Bubblegum Pop, Psychedelic Rock

Rather than being a group of musicians, the Ohio Express is actually a recording unit introduced by Super K Productions.

The first group associated with the company was New York based, the Rare Breed, releasing their single, "Beg, Borrow, and Steal" (1966).

Acting as a figure-head for promotion and touring, the next group was Sir Timothy & the Royals from Mansfield, Ohio. The members included Dale Powers (vocals, lead guitar), Doug Grassel (rhythm guitar), Dean Kastran (bass), Jim Pfahler (keyboards) and Tim Corwin (drums).

Featured on their first album, Beg, Borrow, and Steal (1967), were the songs, "I Find I Think Of You" and "And It's True," which were actually recorded by the Measles from Kent, Ohio.

Eventually, New Yorker, Joey Levine, became lead vocalist despite never appearing with the "official" group live or in the studio.

Their most notable singles include:

• "Yummy, Yummy, Yummy" (1968)
• "Chewy, Chewy" (1968)
• "Mercy" (1969)

Allegedly, the touring group was never informed of the song, "Chewy, Chewy."

3. Frankie Yankovic (Cleveland, Ohio)

Genre: Polka, World

Deemed as "America's Polka King," Frankie Yankovic (vocals, accordion) began performing in the 1930s on WJAY and WGAR radio.

His most notable singles include:

• "Just Because" (1947) - Originally recorded by the Shelton Brothers
• "Blue Skirt Waltz" (1949)
• "Who Stole the Keeshka?!" (1963) - Originally recorded by an unknown artist

In 1962, Yankovic hosted the television series, Polka Time.

In the song, "Who Stole the Keeska?!", un-related comedic musician, "Weird Al" Yankovic, performed the accordion.

After his death, the square at the intersection of Waterloo Rd. and East 152nd St., was dedicated to him.

4. Ohio Players (Dayton, Ohio)

Genre: Disco, Funk, R&B, Soul

Originally named the Ohio Untouchables, the group began performing in 1959. The members included Robert Ward (vocals, guitar), Marshall Jones (bass), Clarence Satchell (saxophone, guitar), Cornelius Johnson (drums) and Ralph Middlebrooks (trumpet, trombone).

Eventually Ward was replaced with Leroy Bonner (vocals, guitar) and Gregory Webster (drums) joined the group beginning a line of additions and replacements.

The group's most notable singles include:

• "Bad Bargain" (1969)
• "Funky Worm" (1973)
• "Fire" (1974)
• "Love Roller-coaster" (1975)
• "Sweet Sticky Thing" (1975)
• "Who'd She Coo?" (1976)

In the song, "Love Roller-coaster," a high-pitch scream can be heard at 1:24-1:28 (or 2:32-2:36 on the album version). The urban legend is, allegedly, the voice belongs to an individual being murdered during the recording.

5. The O'Jays (Canton, Ohio)

Genre: Disco, Funk, R&B, Soul

Originally named the Triumphs and the Mascots, the group began performing in 1958. The members included Eddie Levert (vocals), Walter Williams (vocals), William Powell (vocals), Bobby Massey (vocals) and Bill Isles (vocals).

The group's most notable singles include:

• "Lipstick Traces (On a Cigarette)" (1965) - Originally recorded by Benny Spellman
• "I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow (Than I Was Today)" (1967)
• "Back Stabbers" (1972)
• "Love Train" (1973)
• "For the Love of Money" (1974)
• "I Love Music" (1975)
• "Give the People What They Want" (1975)
• "Livin' for the Weekend" (1976)
• "Message in Our Music" (1976)
• "Darlin' Darlin' Baby (Sweet, Tender, Love)" (1976)
• "Use ta Be My Girl" (1978)

The song, "For the Love of Money," has been heavily sampled by hip-hop musicians, such as Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. The most notable sampling was in the Bone Thug-n-Harmony song featuring Eazy-E, "For the Love of $" (1995).

In 2005, the O'Jays were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

7. Bone Thugs-n-Harmony (Cleveland, Ohio)

Genre: Hip-Hop, Gangsta Rap

Revered as a pioneer of Hip-Hop, the group began performing in 1991. The members include rap artists: Krayzie Bone, Layzie Bone, Bizzy Bone, Wishbone and Flesh-N-Bone.

In 1993, Californian rapper, Eazy-E, signed the group to Ruthless Records.

The group's most notable singles include:

• "Thuggish Ruggish Bone (feat. Shatsha Williams)" (1994)
• "Foe tha Love of $ (feat. Eazy-E)" (1995)
• "1st of tha Month" (1995)
• "East 1999" (1996)
• "Tha Crossroads" (1996)
• "Look into My Eyes" (1997)
• "If I Could Teach the World" (1997)
• "Resurrection (Paper, Paper)" (2000)
• "Change the World (feat. Big B)" (2000)
• "Money, Money" (2002)
• "Home (feat. Phil Collins)" (2003)
• "I Tried (feat. Akon)" (2007)
• "Lil' L.O.V.E. (feat. Marah Carey & Bow Wow)" (2007)

Bone Thugs-n-Harmony is the only group that has worked with 2Pac, the Notorious B.I.G., Eazy-E & Big Pun while they were still alive.

8. Bobby Womack (Cleveland, Ohio)

Genre: Doo-Wop, Gospel, R&B, Rock, Soul

Originally incorporated in the group, Curtis Womack & the Womack Brothers, also as the Valentinos and the Womack Brothers, Bobby Womack (vocals, guitar) began performing in 1954.

His most notable singles include:

• "California Dreamin'" (1968) - Originally recorded by the Mamas & the Papas
• "Fly Me to the Moon" (1968) - Originally recorded by Kaye Ballard
• "How I Miss You Baby" (1969)
• "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" (1969) - Originally recorded by Tony Bennett
• "That's The Way I Feel About Cha" (1972)
• "Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good)" (1972) - Originally recorded by Neil Diamond
• "Woman's Gotta Have It" (1972)
• "Harry Hippie" (1973)
• "Across 110th Street" (1973)
• "Lookin' For a Love" (1974)
• "Check It Out" (1975)
• "Daylight" (1976)
• "If You Think You're Lonely Now" (1982)
• "I Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much" (1985)
• "Someday We'll All Be Free" (1985) - Originally recorded by Donny Hathaway

In 2009, Bobby Womack was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

9. Devo (Akron, Ohio)

Genre: New Wave, Punk, Rock, Synthpop

Revered as one of the pioneers of music videos, the group begun performing in 1970. The members included two sets of brothers: Mark Motherbaughs (vocals, synthesizer, guitar), Bob Motherbaughs (vocals, guitar), Gerald Casales (vocals, bass guitar, bass synthesizer) and Bob Casales (vocals, guitar, keyboard), as well as, Alan Myers (drums).

The group's most notable singles include:

• "Mongoloid" (1977)
• "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" (1977) - Originally recorded by the Rolling Stones
• "Be Stiff" (1978)
• "Jocko Homo" (1978)
• "Secret Agent Man" (1979) - Originally recorded by Johnny Rivers
• "Girl U Want" (1980)
• "Whip It" (1980)
• "Working in the Coal Mine" (1981) - Originally recorded by Allen Toussaint
• "Theme from Doctor Detroit" (1983)
• "Here to Go" (1984)
• "Are U Experienced?" (1984) - Originally recorded by the Jimi Hendrix Experience

The name, Devo, comes "from their concept of 'de-evolution' — the idea that instead of continuing to evolve, mankind has actually begun to regress, as evidenced by the dysfunction and herd mentality of American society."

10. Marilyn Manson (Canton, Ohio)

Genre: Metal, Rock

Originally named Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids, the group began performing in 1989. The members include Brian Warner, also known as, Marilyn Manson (vocals); Twiggy Ramirez (bass guitar), Tyler Bates (guitar) and Gil Sharone (drums).

The name, Marilyn Manson, was created through combining the names of sex symbol, Marilyn Monroe, and serial killer, Charlie Manson.

The group's most notable singles include:

• "Get Your Gunn" (1994)
• "Lunchbox" (1995)
• "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" (1995) - Originally recorded by the Eurythmics
• "The Beautiful People" (1996)
• "Tourniquet" (1997)
• "Long Hard Road Out of Hell" (1997)
• "The Dope Show" (1998)
  
• "I Don't Like the Drugs (But the Drugs Like Me)" (1999)
• "Rock Is Dead" (1999)
• "Disposable Teens" (2000)
• "The Fight Song" (2001)
• "The Nobodies" (2001)
• "Tainted Love" (2002) - Originally recorded by Gloria Jones
• "mOBSCENE" (2003)
• "This Is the New Sh-t" (2003)
• "Personal Jesus" (2004) - Originally recorded by Depeche Mode
• "Heart-Shaped Glasses (When the Heart Guides the Hand)" (2007)
• "Putting Holes in Happiness" (2007)
• "We're from America" (2009)
• "Arma-goddamn-motherfuckin-geddon" (2009)

The group is intentionally offensive and obscene, causing them to be banned from performing on occasions.