The Ohio Players formed in 1959 in Dayton, Ohio, USA. Originally named [a1041403], they were the studio house band at [l186272] Renamed the Ohio Players, the group signed to Capitol Records in Los Angeles in the mid '60s. In 1972, the band signed to Westbound Records in Detroit and achieved commercial success, after which it recorded for Mercury Records. Original band members are: Leroy Bonner, Billy Beck, Clarence Satchell, Ralf Middebrooks, Marshal Jones and Jimmy Williams..