Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Famous Bands From Ohio We’ve All known and Loved…
We all recognize Cleveland, Ohio as the home of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but have you ever considered Ohio to be a great source for music and bands? Believe it or not, Ohio has bred the creativity, and musical expertise of several acclaimed bands and household names. Take a look.
The O’Jays
The O’Jays, previously known as the Triumphs were formed in the year 1958 by five friends in Canton, a small city south of Akron. A famous band from Ohio, Walter Williams, Bill Isles, Bobby Massey, William Powell, and Eddie Levert brought together a passion for music and dance alike and signed with the Philadelphia Sound in the 1970s. Their most popular hit remains “For the Love of Money” which is the theme song for the well-known television show “The Apprentice” as well as many television commercials. In 2005 The O’Jays were given the honor of an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Dean Martin
Dean Martin has been a household name for decades. Born in Steubenville, Ohio in 1917, Martin was a man of the arts; singing acting, and even a comedian. His career started in 1940 when he was offered a lead vocalist position with the Sammy Watkins Orchestra. He then went on to become a member of “Martin and Lewis” and then furthered his career by joining “The Rat Pack” with Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. Dean Martin’s most popular songs “That’s Amore” and “Everybody Loves Somebody” remain known today, often played at weddings across the country.
The Pretenders
Chrissie Hynde, founder of The Pretenders, formed the band in London in 1978. Hynde was born in Akron and attended Kent State University prior to traveling to Europe to follow her dream of becoming a musician. The Pretenders held a punk-rock and pop influence in the 80s’ and are well known for their songs “Back on the Chain Gang”, “My City Was Gone” and “Don’t Get Me Wrong”. Music remains a huge part of Hynde’s life and her most recent album, “Stockholm” was released in June of this year. Hynde never forgot her Ohio roots, and returned in 2007 to open a vegetarian restaurant in Akron which unfortunately closed in 2011 due to a failing economy.
Eric Carmen
Eric Carmen, born in 1949 in Cleveland, Ohio was raised in the area suburb of Lyndhurst. He is well known for many popular hits throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s including “All By Myself”, and “Hungry Eyes” which was featured in the iconic movie, Dirty Dancing. Carmen was a talented musician at the early age of three, when he was enrolled in the Cleveland Institute of Music. At age 6, he was learning the violin and, by age 11 he was playing piano and singing rock and roll. In college at John Carroll University, Carmen formed the band Raspberries which separated in 1975. After this time Carmen focused on his solo career but continued to compose for artists like Olivia Newton-John and Shaun Cassidy. Carmen’s most recent years have been spent at home with his wife and two children where he has taken a more relaxed appreciation of music.
The Michael Stanley Band
The Michael Stanley Band, a famous band from Ohio, was formed by none other than Michael Stanley Gee, a Cleveland native. Gee is a graduate of Rocky River High School and Hiram College. The Michael Stanley Band gained popularity in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s with the hits “He Can’t Love You”, “In the Heartland” and “My Town”. Gee continues to perform throughout Northeast Ohio with his current band, the Resonators.
John Legend
John Roger Stephens, now known by his stage name John Legend was born and raised in Springfield, Ohio. Known most recently for his hit single, “All of Me”, Legend has been collaborating with and providing vocal support to big music names for several years including Kanye West, The Black Eyed Peas, Jay-Z and Britney Spears. Legend’s modern, soul style has gained him fans across the globe. – ©Like The Record Productions
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you forgot Glenn Buxton and Neil Smith, 2 original members of Alice Cooper were born in Akron. and Joe Walsh and The James Gang were from Kent, and of course, The Black Keys
Hey Terry!
Thanks for your comment! Yeah, those are some good ones and I’m sure the list goes on. If I add anymore famous bands from Ohio to this post, your suggestions will be the first I consider. Cheers!
there is also Mushroomhead, Devo Sonny Geraci, the Outsiders, Nine Inch Nails, the James Gang, Joe Walsh, Pure Prairie League the Raspberries, Wild Cherry, to name a few that were left out, Ohio has had so many talented artists and actors born and raised here
Hi Linda! Thanks for your reply and yes, those are some of my favorites you mentioned and I’m sure the list goes on. I will be adding more famous bands from Ohio to this post shortly and your suggestions and others from this post will be the first to be included when I do. Cheers!