The Ohio Players
The Ohio Players are a legendary funk and R&B band formed in Dayton, Ohio, in 1959, renowned for pioneering "street funk" with massive hits in the 1970s. They evolved from backing the Falcons to chart-topping success on labels like Westbound and Mercury, blending R&B, rock, jazz, and bold album art.
Originally the Ohio Untouchables, the band started with Robert Ward (vocals/guitar), Marshall "Rock" Jones (bass), Clarence "Satch" Satchell (sax/guitar), Cornelius Johnson (drums), and Ralph "Pee Wee" Middlebrooks (trumpet/trombone). They backed R&B acts like the Falcons (featuring early Wilson Pickett) before renaming in 1967 and hitting with singles on smaller labels. By 1971 on Westbound, additions like Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner (vocals/guitar), Bruce Napier (trumpet), Charles Dale Allen (vocals), Marvin Pierce (trombone), and Walter "Junie" Morrison (keyboards) fueled their breakthrough "Pain."
Mercury Records era (1974-1977) brought platinum albums Skin Tight, Fire, Honey, and Contradiction, plus #1 pop hits "Fire" and "Love Rollercoaster" and R&B smashes like "Funky Worm" and "Sweet Sticky Thing." Keyboardist Junie Morrison left post-"Funky Worm" for Parliament-Funkadelic; Billy Beck replaced him, with James "Diamond" Williams on drums solidifying the core sound influenced by Sly & the Family Stone. Their risqué covers and Midwestern blues-funk style impacted groups like Lakeside and Zapp.
Role Classic/Early Members Later/Current Notes
Vocals/Guitar Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner (d. 2013), Robert Ward (d. 2008) Clarence "Chet" Willis (lead guitar, d. April 2025)
Bass Marshall "Rock" Jones (d. 2016) Eric EQ Young
Drums James "Diamond" Williams (original, ongoing) Director/drummer #72
Keyboards Walter "Junie" Morrison (d. 2017), Billy Beck (original, ongoing) Ronald Nooks
Horns Clarence Satchell (d. 1995), Ralph Middlebrooks (d. 1996), Marvin Pierce Kenny Anderson (trumpet), Johnny Cotton (trombone), Mike Allemby (sax)
Guitar - Chris Bowman (lead/rhythm)
The band continues touring with originals like Williams, Beck, and Willis (until 2025), emphasizing live performances over retirement. They remain Dayton's funk icons, with over a dozen members across eras.
Pleasure
A2 Laid It 3:00
A3 Pride And Vanity 4:22
A4 Walt's First Trip 3:08
B1 Varee Is Love 2:43
B2 Walked Away From You 2:29
B3 Paint Me 2:02
B4 Funky Worm 2:35
B5 Our Love Has Died 4:45
Written by Ohio Players
Label: Westbound Records – WB 2017
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1972
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk
Ohio Players' Pleasure (1972) is a landmark funk album, the most influential of their career, featuring massive hits like "Funky Worm," known for its innovative synth sounds by Junie Morrison, and establishing their blend of soulful funk and smooth grooves, solidifying their chart dominance after their debut Pain and setting the stage for their 70s success with iconic Joel Brodsky cover art.
Its groundbreaking sounds, particularly the high-pitched ARP synth from "Funky Worm," became foundational elements in West Coast Rap, making Pleasure a staggeringly influential record.
Like its predecessor, it featured iconic photography by Joel Brodsky, continuing their signature sensual imagery. The album's success kicked off a three-year run of chart dominance for the Ohio Players, establishing them as a premier act in funk and soul.
In essence, Pleasure wasn't just another album; it was the pivotal record that propelled the Ohio Players from successful newcomers to funk legends, thanks to its irresistible grooves and the unforgettable "Funky Worm".