Walter Williams Sr. knows the meaning of the old saying "the show must go on."

"I've lived that. I know what that means", says Williams, 66, the co-lead singer of the legendary O'Jays.

In showbiz, performers are expected to be troupers. You get onstage and perform no matter what. And though Williams has been battling multiple sclerosis (MS) for 27 years, he's always made it to the stage or the studio.

"I just suffered through it", he says. "It wasn't easy, but I had to because I didn't want to stop singing."

He was 39 when he was diagnosed with MS, an unpredictable neurological disease that affects the central nervous system, according to the National Mutiple Sclerosis Society web site.

"I had a pity party for about four or five weeks when I first found out", Williams says. "But one day, I just said, 'If you are gonna get me, you are gonna get me fighting back.'"

That's what he has done - fight back with proper medication, healthy eating and exercise. "I play golf every day", he says.

He recently signed on as spokesman for the MS medication AVONEX, which is manufactured by the Biogen Idec company.

The divorced father of four says, "You don't have to lie around and let your mind beat you up."

He recalls, "The doctors told me to start getting your life in order, you probably only have 20 years to live and there is no cure.' But here I am now, 27 years later, healthier than ever", he says. The MS has not affected his singing voice. His biggest symptom has been numbness in his legs, torso and feet.

Williams explains why he waited so long to share his story. "It was really personal, only close friends and family knew about it. I didn't feel good about going public about it. One reason I am coming out with it now is I am doing fine with the medication I've been using for 11 years. I need to tell other people there is hope. You can live with MS as I am doing."

Meanwhile, Williams continues to tour with his O'Jays buddies, Eddie Levert and Eric Nolan Grant. He has released his first solo CD, Walter Williams Exposed (cd-baby.com/walterwilliams). It also will be available in retail stores late this summer. He performs standards like Frank Sinatra's "My Way", Nat King Cole's "Nature Boy", Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World", and he even puts his spin on Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You".

[Edited 6/20/10 11:59am]

Wow Im amazed at the age he was diagnosed & for how long he has battled with this

Even more reason for me to champion The O'jays