The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA--A longtime member of the O'Jays has sued his former partners and record label over royalties.

Sammy Strain charges in his $15 million civil lawsuit that he never received any royalties from his 16 years with the group,when the O'Jays recorded hits such as "Used To Be My Girl" and "Forever Mine".

"My client has been stabbed in the back for the love of money," said lawyer Charles A.Whittier,invoking the title of another O'Jays hit "For The Love Of Money".

The lawsuit,filed last week in federal court in Philadelphia,alleges that O'Jays founders Eddie Levert and Walter Williams conspired to deny Strain his share of the royalties.

The lawsuit also names renowed R&B producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff as defendants,and their label,Philadelphia International Records.

Messages left Wednesday with the record company and a law firm that recently represented Levert and Williams were not returned.

The O'Jays,who are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,enjoyed a lengthy and successful collaboration with Philadelphia International Records.Gamble and Huff wrote many of the act's hits.

Strain,who lives in New Jersey,replaced original member William Powell in 1976,and remained with the group until 1992,according to the lawsuit.He recorded 11 albums with the O'Jays,three of which went gold and two platinum,it said.

Wow..Hope Sammy gets what he asks for. The "So Full Of Love" LP is CLASSIC!! Now that's good ol' R&B right there. The nu-jacks know NOTHING about that.

Sammy is a joke. He chose to leave and rejoin his old group so he
could get more of the spotlight as lead singer. He ought to thank
eddie and walter for putting on as a member of a legendary group.
Eddie and Walter have been fighting for royalties for the group themselves
from their philly international days that were due them so what the
hell is sammy whining about. Sammy was there when the group was inducted in
the rock and roll hall of fame. This is how you repay your friends. Get a life.

SPYZFAN1 said:

Hell yeah!! I play that album to death!! "Cry Together" is just amazing....soulful drama at it's best!!! "Help (Somebody Please)","Brandy","Use Ta Be My Girl" and the disco jam "This Time Baby"....no filler on this album!

So that's the deal with Sammy? Damn!! Didn't know that.

SPYZFAN1 said:

Sad,isn't it? For years,I had been hoping that Sammy would re-join the group but I don't think it's gonna happen now,lol

phunkdaddy said:

I don't know what to believe,but it's sad when these things happen.

Get that money, Sammy

How sad. as far as I am concerned the O'Jays are Walter and Eddie.

phunkdaddy said:

I know. What makes him think he should get paid too?

You know what makes me mad?

Walter,Eddie and Sammy (the classic O'Jays line-up from 1976-1992) are all alive and well.Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff (the producers) are also still around.

Wouldn't it be great if we could get them all in a recording studio? Gamble and Huff producing a new O'Jays album,just like back in the day.Imo,The O'Jays never made a good record without Gamble and Huff.I bought their last album released a few years ago and it was dreadful.Bring back the Philly Sound!!!

I guess it'll never happen now

SoulAlive said:

That would indeed br awesome.

Stymie said:

I'm just fed up with classic artists battling each other,suing each other,spending so much time holding a grudge when they could be back in the studio,creating some good music (Shalamar,are you listening?).

Stymie said:

oh hell yeah! and gamble & huff are still around? wonder what they're up to...

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

probably gambling and huffing.




ok. bad joke.

unkemptpueblo said:

you not funky.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

Yes,they are still around.It's almost a crime that these talented guys aren't making music anymore.One of the last albums they produced was Phyllis Hyman's 'I Refuse To Be Lonely' CD,released in 1995 shortly after her death.That album proves that these guys still have it....I thought it was one of her strongest albums.