The Isley Brothers, hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, have left an indelible mark on the music industry with a career spanning over six decades. Raised in the Lincoln Heights suburb and later settling in Blue Ash, the brothers were heavily influenced by their parents, O'Kelly Isley Sr., a former Navy sailor and vaudeville performer, and Sallye Isley, who nurtured their singing in church.
The brothers' journey began in 1954, inspired by groups like Billy Ward and His Dominoes and The Dixie Hummingbirds. Their big break came on Ted Mack's Amateur Hour, where they won the competition. Tragedy struck when Vernon Isley, the original lead vocalist, was killed in an accident. Devastated, the group disbanded but later regrouped with Ronnie taking over as lead vocalist. They moved to New York in 1957, recording regional hits and eventually landing a deal with RCA Records.
Their breakthrough came in 1959 with "Shout," a song that mixed gospel vocals with doo-wop harmonies. Despite modest chart success, it sold over a million copies. The group continued to evolve, signing with Scepter Records in 1961 and scoring a top 40 hit with "Twist and Shout" in 1962. This period marked the beginning of their influence on the burgeoning Motown sound, though they struggled to find consistent success.
The Isley Brothers' innovative spirit led them to form T-Neck Records in 1964, where they experimented with new sounds and even worked with a young Jimi Hendrix. However, it was their 1969 hit "It's Your Thing," recorded after leaving Motown, that catapulted them to new heights. The song won them a Grammy Award and solidified their reputation as trailblazers in funk and soul music.
In the 1970s, the addition of younger brothers Ernie and Marvin, along with brother-in-law Chris Jasper, brought a new dimension to their music. Albums like "3 + 3" and "The Heat Is On" featured a fusion of rock, funk, and soulful ballads, yielding hits like "That Lady" and "Fight the Power." These albums achieved platinum status, cementing the Isley Brothers' status as musical innovators.
The 1980s saw the release of the double-platinum album "Between the Sheets," but financial and creative struggles led to a split, with Ernie, Marvin, and Chris forming Isley-Jasper-Isley. The original trio of O'Kelly, Rudy, and Ronnie continued, but O'Kelly's death in 1986 and Rudy's retirement in 1989 marked the end of an era.
Ron Isley revived the group in the 1990s, and with Ernie, they released successful albums like "Mission to Please" and "Eternal." The latter featured the hit "Contagious," making the Isley Brothers the only act to chart in six consecutive decades. Their enduring influence was highlighted by samples of their music in hits by artists like Ice Cube and The Notorious B.I.G.
Chris Jasper continued to contribute to music as a solo artist and producer, while Ron and Ernie maintained the Isley Brothers' legacy. In 2017, they collaborated with Carlos Santana on the album "Power of Peace." In 2021, they celebrated their contributions to music with a Verzuz battle against Earth, Wind & Fire, hosted by Steve Harvey.
The Isley Brothers' latest album, "Make Me Say It Again, Girl," released in 2022, demonstrates their timeless appeal and enduring influence. From their gospel roots to their pioneering work in funk, rock, and soul, the Isley Brothers remain a monumental force in the music industry.
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