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Ohio Players Biography

Leroy "Sugerfoot" Bonner - (Guitar & Vocals)
James "Diamond" Williams - (Drums & Vocals)
Chet Willis - (Guitar & Vocals)
Darwin Dortch - (Bass & Vocals)
Ronald Nooks - (Keyboards)


THE OHIO PLAYERS came into musical prominence in the 1970's as pioneers of 'street funk', drawing their influences from James Brown, Miles Davis, George Benson and Sly and the Family Stone. Basing their appeal on heavy, insistent, hypnotic rhythms, rather than melody, this style was continued by The Fatback Band, Kool & The Gang and Rick James.

From 1972 through 1977, THE OHIO PLAYERS landed three consecutive platinum albums ("Skin Tight", "Fire" and "Honey"), three gold albums ("Contradiction", "Pain" and "Ohio Players Gold"), two number one singles ("Fire" and "Love Rollercoaster") and five number one R&B singles including "Funky Worm", "Fire", "Sweet Sticky Thing", "Love Rollercoaster" and "Who'd She Coo".

In 1979, the band decided to take a break and work on individual projects. By 1984, THE OHIO PLAYERS were back together again. In 1988, they recorded their first album in almost 10 years entitled "Back", a mixture of their trademark sound and the music of the 90's.

The original OHIO PLAYERS, James "Diamond" Williams, Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner and Chet Willis are joined by newcomers Ronald Nooks and Darwin Dortch.



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