O’jays’ will bid farewell to Memphis in Southern Heritage Classic event

R&B legends the O’jays have announced a Memphis date as part of their farewell tour.

The group will headline a concert as part of the events surrounding the annual Southern Heritage Classic, appearing at the Orpheum on Sept. 8.

Led by original members Eddie Levert Sr. and Walter Williams Sr., as well as Eric Grant (who joined the group in 1995), the Canton, Ohio, group has been together, in one form or another, for more than 60 years.

The O’jays — whose catalog of hits includes classics like “Backstabbers,” “Love Train,” “Put Your Hands Together” and “For The Love of Money” — were enshrined in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.

Earlier this year, The O’jays announced they would be ending their run with the “Last Stop on The Love Train: The Final Tour.” The Orpheum show will also feature comedian/host Jay Lamont.

The concert is part of the 33rd annual Southern Heritage Classic weekend, highlighted by a gridiron battle between Tennessee State University and Jackson State University, which will take place Sept. 10 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

The Southern Heritage Classic festivities will also include the Classic Funk Fest on Sept. 9 at the Landers Center in Southaven.

That lineup will be led by Stax veterans the Bar-kays and also includes hitmakers Confunkshun, Original Lakeside and the SOS Band, with Lamont also set to MC.

Tickets for the O’jays concert at the Orpheum are $68, $88, $98 and $128. They go on sale May 20 at 10 a.m. at all Ticketmaster outlets or Ticketmaster .com.