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.
Angel
A2 Merry Go Round 4:15
A3 Glad To Know You're Mine 4:06
A4 Don't Fight My Love 4:13
B1 Body Vibes 7:10
B2 Can You Still Love Me 4:50
B3 O-H-I-O 3:07
B4 Faith 5:30
Written-By – W. Beck, C. Satchell, J. Williams, L. Bonner, M. Jones, M. Pierce, R. Middlebrooks
Label: Mercury – SRM-1-3701
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1977
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk
Back
2 Sweat 3:49
3 From Now On (Let's Play) 5:20
4 Show Off 4:21
5 Just To Show My Love 4:53
6 I'm Madd! 3:58
7 Vibe Alive 4:54
8 Rock The House 3:41
9 Just A Minute 5:27
10 Reputation 4:35
11 Try 4:23
Label: Track Record Company – TRK-58810-2
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: R&B Electronic, Funk, Soul
Style: R&B Funk
Contradiction
A2 Precious Love 4:57
A3 Little Lady Maria 4:16
A4 Far East Mississippi 4:58
B1 Who'd She Coo? 4:32
B2 My Life 4:01
B3 Tell The Truth 3:37
B4 My Ladies Run Me Crazy 3:54
B5 Bi-Centennial 3:44
Written-By – W. Beck, C. Satchell, J. Williams, L. Bonner, M. Jones, M. Pierce, R. Middlebrooks
Label: Mercury – SRM-1-1088
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1976
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Seventies Funk, Soul
Ecstasy
Written-By – Ohio Players
2:27
A2 You And Me
Written-By – Ohio Players
3:12
A3 Not So Sad And Lonely
Written-By – B. Baine, L. Crane
3:20
A4 (I Wanna Know) Do You Feel It
Written-By – Ohio Players
4:23
A5 Black Cat
Written-By – Ohio Players
4:25
B1 Food Stamps Y'all
Written-By – B. Baine, L. Crane
3:12
B2 Spinning
Written-By – Ohio Players
3:04
B3 Sleep Talk
Written-By – Ohio Players
3:15
B4 Silly Billy
Written-By – Ohio Players
4:26
B5 Short Change
Written-By – Ohio Players
2:55
Label: Westbound Records – WB 2021
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1973
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Funk, Disco
Everybody Up
A2 Don't Say Goodbye 5:45
A3 Make Me Feel 6:45
B1 Say It 7:01
B2 Take De Funk Off, Fly 6:04
B3 Something Special 4:45
Label: Arista – AB 4226
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1979
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Funk, Disco
Fire
A2 Together 3:08
A3 Runnin' From The Devil 4:48
A4 I Want To Be Free 6:56
B1 Smoke 5:59
B2 It's All Over 4:15
B3 What The Hell 5:38
B4 Together / Feelings 1:11
Written-By – W. Beck, C. Satchell, J. Williams, L. Bonner, M. Jones, M. Pierce, R. Middlebrooks
Label: Mercury – SRM-1-1013
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1974
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Funk, Soul
Graduation
Written-By – P. Bass, B. Beck, G. Roebuck
4:44
A2 Follow Me
Written-By – B. Beck, G. Roebuck, O. Scales
4:39
A3 Don't You Know I Care
Written-By – B. Beck, M. Jones, O. Scales
4:38
A4 So Nice I Got My R & B
Written-By – G. Sewell, M. Jones, O. Scales
3:35
B1 School Girl
Written-By – B. Beck, G. Roebuck, M. Jones, O. Scales
4:32
B2 All Night
Written-By – B. Beck, O. Scales
4:40
B3 Now Is The Time
Written-By – M. Jones, M. Carter, O. Scales
5:40
B4 Sight For Sore Eyes
Written-By – B. Beck, G. Roebuck, M. Jones
5:00
Label: Air City Records – A-403-OP-LP
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: R&B Electronic, Funk, Soul
Style: Eighties Boogie, Funk
Honey
A2 Fopp 3:45
A3 Let's Love 5:15
A4 Ain't Givin' Up No Ground 1:45
B1 Sweet Sticky Thing 6:13
B2 Love Rollercoaster 4:52
B3 Alone 4:40
Written-By – W. Beck, C. Satchell, J. Williams, L. Bonner, M. Jones, M. Pierce, R. Middlebrooks
Label: Mercury – SRM-1-1038
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1975
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Funk, Soul
Mr. Mean
A2 Fight Me, Chase Me 5:10
A3 The Controller's Mind 1:36
A4 The Big Score 7:34
B1 Magic Trick 6:56
B2 Good Luck Charm 9:36
B3 Speak Easy 3:52
Written-By – W. Beck, C. Satchell, J. Williams, L. Bonner, M. Jones, M. Pierce, R. Middlebrooks
Label: Mercury – SRM-1-3707
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1977
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Funk
Orgasm (Very Best Of The Westbound Years)
2 Pleasure 5:31
3 Ecstasy 2:27
4 Climax 4:09
Written-By – B. Baine, L. Crane
5 Funky Worm 2:39
6 Player's Balling (Player's Doin' Their Own Thing) 4:22
7 Varee Is Love 2:44
8 Sleep Talk 3:15
9 Walt's First Trip 3:00
10 Laid It 3:00
11 What's Going On 6:04
Written-By – A. Cleveland, M. Gaye, R. Benson
12 Singing In The Morning 7:00
13 Food Stamps Y'all 2:32
Written-By – B. Baine, L. Crane
14 I Want To Hear (From You) 2:49
Written-By – Andrew Noland (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 9, 10, 12, 14), Gregory Webster (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 7, 9, 10, 14), Walter Morrison (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 9, 10, 12, 14), Leroy Bonner (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 9, 10, 12, 14), Marshall Jones (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 9, 10, 12, 14), Norman Napier (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 7, 9, 10, 14), Ralph Middlebrooks (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 9, 10, 12, 14)
Label: Westbound Records – CDSEWD 062
Format: CD, Compilation
Country: UK
Released: 1993
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Funk. Soul
Ouch!
Written-By – Charles Wright
5:13
A2 The Star Of The Party
Written-By – Belinda Wilson, Richard 'Dimples' Fields
4:09
A3 Sweet Lil' Lady
Written-By – Belinda Wilson, Richard 'Dimples' Fields
3:43
A4 Everybody Dance
Written-By – Belinda Wilson, Richard 'Dimples' Fields
5:48
B1 My Baby Gets The Best Of My Love
Written-By – Belinda Wilson, Richard 'Dimples' Fields
3:25
B2 Just Me
Written-By – Leroy 'Sugar' Bonner*
4:44
B3 Thinkin' Bout You
Written-By – Belinda Wilson, Richard 'Dimples' Fields
4:28
B4 Devoted
Written-By – Richard 'Dimples' Fields
3:45
B5 I'd Better Take A Coffee Break
Written-By – Belinda Wilson, Richard 'Dimples' Fields
5:30
Label: Epic – EPC 85562
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1981
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Eighties Funk, Disco
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".
Tenderness
Written-By – H. Woods, J. Campbell, R. Connelly
3:52
A2 Sometimes I Cry
Written-By – D. Johnson, L. Bonner, M. Pierce
4:02
A3 Skinny
Written-By – D. Johnson, L. Bonner, M. Jones, M. Pierce, R. Middlebrooks
3:52
A4 Try To Be A Man
Written-By – D. Johnson, L. Bonner
3:27
A5 Boardwalkin'
Written-By – D. Johnson, L. Bonner, M. Jones, M. Pierce, R. Middlebrooks, V. Thomas
3:47
B1 Call Me
Written-By – D. Johnson, L. Bonner, M. Pierce
5:20
B2 Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay
Written-By – O. Redding, S. Cropper
3:39
B3 It Takes A While
Written-By – D. Johnson, L. Bonner, M. Jones, M. Pierce, R. Middlebrooks
3:45
B4 Hard To Love Your Brother
Written-By – D. Johnson, L. Bonner, M. Jones, M. Pierce, R. Middlebrooks
3:15
Label: Boardwalk Entertainment Co – FW 37090
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1981
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Funk