Odyssey -

Odyssey was an American soul group that landed an R&B/pop crossover hit with their 1977 debut single, “Native New Yorker.” They made six albums through 1985 and achieved further UK hits with the 1980–82 singles “Use It Up and Wear It Out,” “If You’re Lookin’ for a Way Out,” “Going Back to My Roots,” and “Inside Out.”

Members: Lillian Lopez (vocals, 1968-2003), Louise Lopez (vocals, 1968-82), Carmen Lopez (vocals, 1968), Tony Reynolds (vocals, 1968-77), William “Bill” McEachern (vocals, 1977-82), Steven Collazo (vocals, keyboards, 1982-present), Al Jackson (vocals, 1982-2003)

Background

Odyssey formed circa 1973 in New York City when singers Lillian and Louise Lopez teamed with Manila-born singer Tony Reynolds. Lillian and Louise came from a family that moved from the Virgin Islands to Connecticut, where Lillian studied at the Juilliard School. The sisters first performed with Carmen Lopez as the Lopez Sisters in the late 1960s. Reynolds sang earlier with the Downbeats before his military service in Vietnam.

The Lopez Sisters played bars and supper clubs before a New York booking agent arranged a five-month European tour. Carmen left the trio after their return to the United States, and Lillian and Louise recruited Reynolds under the Odyssey name. The trio spent its first three years developing a live act before pursuing a recording contract.

Odyssey joined the Chappell Music roster as songwriters in 1976 and met songwriter-producer Sandy Linzer through the company. Manager Tommy Mottola secured an RCA Records contract, and Linzer teamed with arranger-producer Charlie Calello for the self-titled debut album.

Discography: