UPDATE: Earlier I had started this thread on the basis of one song, but since other songs have been brought up, I decided to make this the ultimate Isley Brothers thread, let's get this to fifteen pages please!

I got a question, it seems to me from the biography of these guys that the real songwriting genius of this song (and others they did) really came from the pen of its guitarist/drummer/multi-instrumentalist Ernie Isley.

Honestly how underrated was he, Marvin and Chris Jasper?!

Maybe we can lead this into a discussion about the Isleys... we never talk about them enough I'm afraid and if we have it's in little spurts.

[Edited 1/15/11 22:04pm]

Yeah, the youngsters were the sole writers when it became the 3 + 3 unit..

I believe the older ones just put their names on it

funkpill said:

Yeah, the youngsters were the sole writers when it became the 3 + 3 unit..

I believe the older ones just put their names on it

Yeah. Ernie even wrote most of "For the Love of You". I was led to believe it was Rudolph but I know better now.

Most soulful family ever, but yet the most facially challenged Sorry Timmy had to say it but I love them-Voyage to Atlantis is my fav Isley brothers

nursev said:

Most soulful family ever, but yet the most facially challenged Sorry Timmy had to say it but I love them-Voyage to Atlantis is my fav Isley brothers

Not all of them. O'Kelly was kinda cute, Rudy looked debonair, Marvin had his charm, so did Ernie, and of course Chris was the pretty boy. Ronald Isley...thank God he had that voice.

Timmy84 said:

nursev said:

Most soulful family ever, but yet the most facially challenged Sorry Timmy had to say it but I love them-Voyage to Atlantis is my fav Isley brothers

Not all of them. O'Kelly was kinda cute, Rudy looked debonair, Marvin had his charm, so did Ernie, and of course Chris was the pretty boy. Ronald Isley...thank God he had that voice.

Umm...Chris was the only cute one and God knows we all love Ron for his voice only

nursev said:

Timmy84 said:

Not all of them. O'Kelly was kinda cute, Rudy looked debonair, Marvin had his charm, so did Ernie, and of course Chris was the pretty boy. Ronald Isley...thank God he had that voice.

Umm...Chris was the only cute one and God knows we all love Ron for his voice only

Well they were in that era where looks weren't first. The music proves they were beautiful anyway.

^^^Video killed the radio star.

Timmy84 said:

nursev said:

Umm...Chris was the only cute one and God knows we all love Ron for his voice only

Well they were in that era where looks weren't first. The music proves they were beautiful anyway.

True, true-the music has outlasted all that I need Caravan of Love posted on here now

MickyDolenz said:

^^^Video killed the radio star.

Yes, the older brothers just demanded the credit since they had been around so long as a vocal trio. They don't write music. Chris and Ernie were the songwriters, with Chris being the primary writer, arranger and producer for both the Isley Brothers and Isley-Jasper-Isley. Chris was classically trained from a young age and attended Julliard School of Music, and was the only "Isley" to earn a degree in music composition. He is the only one to continue on writing and recording his own music for his Gold City label, where you can read his bio (goldcitymusic.com). Unfortunately, Ronald takes credit for all of the group's success because he was the lead singer, but without the music, what would have happened?

Just checked the gold city musuic website and Chris Jasper has a new CD out and so does his son Michael...the next generation?

Damn! Timmy done started something

was my jam

Credit to ALL of em from me.....I swear "Coolin" spins here bout every other DAY...F'n that song.

KGA said:

Yes, the older brothers just demanded the credit since they had been around so long as a vocal trio. They don't write music. Chris and Ernie were the songwriters, with Chris being the primary writer, arranger and producer for both the Isley Brothers and Isley-Jasper-Isley. Chris was classically trained from a young age and attended Julliard School of Music, and was the only "Isley" to earn a degree in music composition. He is the only one to continue on writing and recording his own music for his Gold City label, where you can read his bio (goldcitymusic.com). Unfortunately, Ronald takes credit for all of the group's success because he was the lead singer, but without the music, what would have happened?

True. Also something to point out: Ronald, O'Kelly and Rudy often or not shared lead vocals either together or separately though Ronald was "the head" as it was but yeah Chris Jasper and Ernie Isley were definitely the ones who were really doing it behind the music. All of them definitely deserves credit too. But I guess it speaks about their humbleness that neither Chris nor Ernie aren't huffing and puffing about not being giving credit lol

I believe Ron and O'Kelly are both leading on this.

The elder brothers are working it here. All three of them (Ron in lead, Rudy second lead in the chorus, and O'Kelly joining up).

I don't believe that Rudolph or O'Kelley ever sang lead on any of the Isley Brothers songs after 3+3...just Ronald.

Timmy84 said:

I believe Ron and O'Kelly are both leading on this.

No, that is just Ronald.

How do you post the video links? I have some to post

KGA said:

Timmy84 said:

I believe Ron and O'Kelly are both leading on this.

No, that is just Ronald.

I see. Ron just sounded a little different for some reason lol

Oh and to post YouTube links, all you gotta do is post the tags and make sure you copy the address (or the YouTube ID) and make sure it's not pasted like a link.

KGA said:

I don't believe that Rudolph or O'Kelley ever sang lead on any of the Isley Brothers songs after 3+3...just Ronald.

What about "Let Me Down Easy"?

Timmy84 said:

The elder brothers are working it here. All three of them (Ron in lead, Rudy second lead in the chorus, and O'Kelly joining up).

This mug is it heah!!!

You lost me...I am not computer savvy...how do I share this youtube video (Isley-Jasper-Isley):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTTYalYGXvY&ob=av2el

KGA said:

You lost me...I am not computer savvy...how do I share this youtube video (Isley-Jasper-Isley):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTTYalYGXvY&ob=av2el

Nevermind Mickey Dolenz got it for ya lol

Thank you Mickey D., still need to know how you did that!

Timmy84 said:

KGA said:

I don't believe that Rudolph or O'Kelley ever sang lead on any of the Isley Brothers songs after 3+3...just Ronald.

What about "Let Me Down Easy"?

No...I checked... Just Ronald.