Odyssey

Founded in 1977 in New York City, Odyssey is a soul and disco group that was formed by members of the Lopez Sisters (Carmen, Louise, and Lillian), a family act that had existed since the late 1960s. Performing in small New York clubs and at weddings and parties, the Virgin Islands-born Lopez Sisters finally fell apart in the mid-‘70s when Carmen left the trio. Lillian and Louise Lopez decided on a change of musical direction and brought in Filipino vocalist and bassist Tony Reynolds in order to add a male vocalist to their soulful disco direction. The newly christened Odyssey released their debut self-titled debut album on RCA Records in 1977. The single “Native New Yorker” reached Number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Number 5 on the UK Singles chart. Tony Reynolds left the band and was replaced by Bill McEachern. Lillian Lopez’s son Steven Collazo also joined Odyssey as keyboardist, arranger, musical director and vocalist. The band continued to release albums including Hollywood Party Tonight (1978), Hang Together (1980), I Got the Melody (1981) and Happy Together (1982). Odyssey released several more UK chart hits including the Number One hit “Use It Up and Wear It Out” (1980), “If You’re Lookin’ for a Way Out” (1980) and “Inside Out” (1982). By the time the band left RCA Records, the line-up featured Lillian Lopez, Steven Collazo, and Al Jackson. They continued to perform under the Odyssey name until Lopez and Jackson left the group in 2003, just a few years after they were married. Steven Collazo has continued to tour and record under the Odyssey name with new members. Tony Reynolds died on February 2, 2010. Lillian Lopez died on September 4, 2012. Louise Lopez died on January 28, 2015.