After decades of silence, Eddie Levert — the legendary voice behind The O’Jays — has finally confirmed the long-standing rumors that have surrounded his life, career, and family. At 82, he’s opening up in a way he never has before.

Eddie Levert, born in 1942, is widely recognized as one of the most iconic voices in R&B and soul music. As the lead singer of The O’Jays, he delivered timeless hits like “Love Train,” “Back Stabbers,” and “For the Love of Money.”

But beyond the stage lights and sold-out arenas, Levert’s life has been filled with personal tragedy, inner battles, and industry secrets that were often whispered but never fully addressed — until now.

In a rare sit-down interview, Eddie Levert spoke openly about the rumors that have followed him throughout his career. From the heartbreaking loss of his two sons to behind-the-scenes struggles with fame, addiction, and regret, Levert is finally ready to tell the full story — and the truth is more emotional and revealing than anyone expected.

One of the most painful chapters in Eddie’s life involves the deaths of both his sons, Gerald and Sean Levert. Gerald, a hugely successful solo artist and member of the R&B group LeVert, died unexpectedly in 2006 at just 40 years old. Sean passed away just two years later in 2008 while in custody at an Ohio jail.

For years, fans speculated on how Eddie coped with these unimaginable losses. Rumors circulated about strained relationships, hidden guilt, and even blame within the family. But Eddie is now setting the record straight.

“I didn’t know how to be okay,” Eddie admitted, his voice breaking with emotion. “When you bury two of your sons, a piece of your soul goes with them. And people wanted answers — I didn’t have any. I just had pain.”

He revealed that he and Gerald had their fair share of disagreements, mostly related to music and the pressures of the industry. But Eddie also shared that their final conversations were filled with love and understanding. “We were getting better,” he said. “We were laughing again. And then, just like that, he was gone.”

As for Sean, Eddie says he still struggles with the way his youngest son was treated in his final days. “I’ve carried anger for a long time. I still do. But I’ve learned that forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting. It means living on and honoring their legacy.”

Beyond the family pain, Eddie also addressed long-standing rumors about his time with The O’Jays. For decades, there were whispers about internal conflicts, lawsuits, and creative disagreements among the group’s members.

“Yes, we fought. Of course we did,” he said. “You try being in a group with the same people for over 50 years and not have some battles. But at the end of the day, we loved each other. We made history together.”

Eddie also confessed that the group came close to breaking up permanently more than once, especially during the height of their success in the 1970s and 1980s. “There were times I walked out of the studio and didn’t come back for weeks,” he said. “But we always found our way back. The music kept pulling us in.”

He further confirmed another long-rumored fact: that the intense schedule and lifestyle led many artists — including himself — down dark paths. Eddie openly admitted to struggling with addiction during the height of his fame.

“I numbed the pain, the pressure, the fame — all of it. I made mistakes. I lost time,” he shared. “But I got help. I got sober. And I’m still here.”

Now at 82, Eddie Levert says he’s finally at peace with his past, and he’s using his voice not just for music, but to speak honestly about life, grief, forgiveness, and survival.

“I want people to know that even when life knocks you down hard, you can get back up,” he said. “You don’t have to be perfect to be strong.”

He’s also focused on preserving the legacy of his sons, particularly Gerald, whose music continues to influence generations. “Gerald was a genius,” Eddie said proudly. “He had the voice, the soul, the passion. I see him in every young artist trying to sing with heart.”

With his health stable and his spirit strong, Eddie has no plans to stop performing anytime soon. In fact, he’s planning a special tribute tour dedicated to both Gerald and Sean, with proceeds going to music education and mental health awareness programs.

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