A documentary on the Isley Brothers would be interesting but so, so sad. So much conflict, underhanded dealings, lawsuits, etc. Right now, Ronald went solo because he mistreated and used the other brothers so bad that the last holdout, Ernie, finally left and so there is no more functioning group called "The Isley Brothers" anymore. Ronald, Ernie and Chris are all solo artists now, O'Kelley and Marvin have sadly passed away, and Rudolph retired a long time ago and is also not in good health.

KGA said:

A documentary on the Isley Brothers would be interesting but so, so sad. So much conflict, underhanded dealings, lawsuits, etc. Right now, Ronald went solo because he mistreated and used the other brothers so bad that the last holdout, Ernie, finally left and so there is no more functioning group called "The Isley Brothers" anymore. Ronald, Ernie and Chris are all solo artists now, O'Kelley and Marvin have sadly passed away, and Rudolph retired a long time ago and is also not in good health.

Yeah I know it's all sad.

KGA said:

A documentary on the Isley Brothers would be interesting but so, so sad. So much conflict, underhanded dealings, lawsuits, etc. Right now, Ronald went solo because he mistreated and used the other brothers so bad that the last holdout, Ernie, finally left and so there is no more functioning group called "The Isley Brothers" anymore. Ronald, Ernie and Chris are all solo artists now, O'Kelley and Marvin have sadly passed away, and Rudolph retired a long time ago and is also not in good health.

Totally understand the pain and money issues, but these men have made history in there own way and just like the story of Ray Charles and Tina, it's important this story is told as it's the blueprint to US culture and Soul/RnB/DoWop music on an international scale...

I still feel the James Brown story because of the same issue, needs to be told, I really don't think James Brown got the send off he should of had when he past he a true American Dream.

The problem with modern music is it's lost it's historic connection to the past ....as these great's past by we should document the story...the good and the bad as no ones perfect.

Dreamer2 said:

JoeTyler said:

The Isley Bros. is one of those acts that you CANNOT dislike. While I prefer the Temptations or Kool & The Gang (my fav R&B bands of all time) the Isley Bros. are pretty cool as well. They have too many albums and I think they didn't become a "serious studio band" until It's Out Thing, when they finally got some artistic freedom...

Their compilations "Isley Bros. Story Part.1 & 2" are insanely good and enjoyable...

I just want to post one of their very best ballads and perhaps, the "best song of all time"

Thanks for the tip, i'll look into that one......

Another thing i've read online ..... and I hope Sir Timmy84 can help with the back ground info:

It's amusing to hear Ronald Isley singing, "all of the lonely people, where do we all come from" on the lovely Have You Ever Been Disappointed - nearly a year before the Beatles recorded Eleanor Rigby:-o , and also amusing to note that the Rolling Stones were, unknowingly, trying to emulate Jimi Hendrix licks in 1965 when they covered Don Covay's Mercy Mercy. Not all of it is great, but the Isley Brothers tracks, especially Move Over And Let Me Dance, show that Hendrix was pretty much already fully formed as a guitarist in 1965.)

It should be noted that the Isley Brothers have a following in the UK, they first performed there in 1962 (when "Twist & Shout" came out). In fact they were always in the UK during most of the 1960s and the Beatles and the Stones clearly was paying attention.

I found a link to a recent interview that sheds some light on the Isley Brothers story, but it is an audio interview, so here's the link: http://www.soulinterviews...swede.html

We could make this a 100 page thread.

The Isleys got "Nothing BUT Jams!" (As they say here on WYLD FM 98)

[Edited 1/16/11 10:39am]

KGA said:

I found a link to a recent interview that sheds some light on the Isley Brothers story, but it is an audio interview, so here's the link: http://www.soulinterviews...swede.html

Here is a song by Chaka Khan, written and produced by Chris Jasper, who also sings with Chaka, but never received much attention and was recently re-discovered:

KGA said:

KGA said:

I found a link to a recent interview that sheds some light on the Isley Brothers story, but it is an audio interview, so here's the link: http://www.soulinterviews...swede.html

Here is a song by Chaka Khan, written and produced by Chris Jasper, who also sings with Chaka, but never received much attention and was recently re-discovered:

How about this incredible song by Liz Hogue, also written and produced by Chris Jasper for his Gold City label. So overlooked!

Chris is truly a genius.

KGA said:

I found a link to a recent interview that sheds some light on the Isley Brothers story, but it is an audio interview, so here's the link: http://www.soulinterviews...swede.html

Correction to a previous post: Chris Jasper has released 9 solo albums since Isley-Jasper-Isley split up...http://www.goldcitymusic.com/chrisjasper.htm

KGA said:

KGA said:

I found a link to a recent interview that sheds some light on the Isley Brothers story, but it is an audio interview, so here's the link: http://www.soulinterviews...swede.html

Correction to a previous post: Chris Jasper has released 9 solo albums since Isley-Jasper-Isley split up...http://www.goldcitymusic.com/chrisjasper.htm

I think it is a name recognition problem...he didn't have the "Isley" name.

KGA said:

KGA said:

Correction to a previous post: Chris Jasper has released 9 solo albums since Isley-Jasper-Isley split up...http://www.goldcitymusic.com/chrisjasper.htm

I think it is a name recognition problem...he didn't have the "Isley" name.

Yeah I agree. Maybe if he was an actual sibling (he's an in-law; Rudolph married Chris' sister Elaine in the late 1950s I believe), he would've gotten recognition but of course he had spent 15 years in the background of the older Isleys (and Ernie Isley) so I guess that's why he never got recognized.

HuMpThAnG said:

I just peeped this song about 6 or 7 years ago and it's definitely in my top 10!

Wow, hearing the interview now, so it seems the older Isley Brothers wanted the younger ones to leave due to financial reasons (the older Isleys sold their T-Neck label a year afterwards due to tax problems). And then Ernie suddenly jumping ship to do a solo career when Chris thought everything was cool. Wow, no wonder... it's sad what happened to O'Kelly, Rudolph and Marvin too. And Ronald is ailing or had been until recently. It's a mess. Least I respect them for not taking it to the streets like that OTHER family group I know of...

Timmy84 said:

Wow, hearing the interview now, so it seems the older Isley Brothers wanted the younger ones to leave due to financial reasons (the older Isleys sold their T-Neck label a year afterwards due to tax problems). And then Ernie suddenly jumping ship to do a solo career when Chris thought everything was cool. Wow, no wonder... it's sad what happened to O'Kelly, Rudolph and Marvin too. And Ronald is ailing or had been until recently. It's a mess. Least I respect them for not taking it to the streets like that OTHER family group I know of...

Yes...a brief history...the Older Brothers wanted the younger brothers to file bankruptcy with them and then break their contract with CBS, but the younger brothers refused becaused they didn't need to go bankrupt. The Older Brothers filed bankruptcy and broke their contract with CBS and told the younger brothers they were out. The younger brothers continued with CBS and recorded as Isley-Jasper-Isley, and the Older Brothers then sued the younger brothers and CBS in court to try to stop the younger brothers from recording the Isley-Jasper-Isley album, but were unsuccessful in stopping the project. When Isley-Jasper-Isley broke up, Ernie went solo with "High Wire", Chris released "Superbad" and Marvin eventually returned to Ronald after O'Kelley passed away. Ernie then returned after his solo career wasn't going anywhere and it was Ernie, Marvin and Ronald (Rudolph retired) for a while. Then, Marvin got sick and he was put out of the group (more lawsuits), and that left two: Ronald and Ernie. Ronald went to jail and Ernie refused to return to record with Ronald. Chris never went back to the group after Isley-Jasper-Isley split and started his own label, and continued to record and produce other artists. Chris was the only one of the "brothers" to keep in touch with Marvin until Marvin's recent passing...sad, sad story.

KGA said:

Timmy84 said:

Wow, hearing the interview now, so it seems the older Isley Brothers wanted the younger ones to leave due to financial reasons (the older Isleys sold their T-Neck label a year afterwards due to tax problems). And then Ernie suddenly jumping ship to do a solo career when Chris thought everything was cool. Wow, no wonder... it's sad what happened to O'Kelly, Rudolph and Marvin too. And Ronald is ailing or had been until recently. It's a mess. Least I respect them for not taking it to the streets like that OTHER family group I know of...

Yes...a brief history...the Older Brothers wanted the younger brothers to file bankruptcy with them and then break their contract with CBS, but the younger brothers refused becaused they didn't need to go bankrupt. The Older Brothers filed bankruptcy and broke their contract with CBS and told the younger brothers they were out. The younger brothers continued with CBS and recorded as Isley-Jasper-Isley, and the Older Brothers then sued the younger brothers and CBS in court to try to stop the younger brothers from recording the Isley-Jasper-Isley album, but were unsuccessful in stopping the project. When Isley-Jasper-Isley broke up, Ernie went solo with "High Wire", Chris released "Superbad" and Marvin eventually returned to Ronald after O'Kelley passed away. Ernie then returned after his solo career wasn't going anywhere and it was Ernie, Marvin and Ronald (Rudolph retired) for a while. Then, Marvin got sick and he was put out of the group (more lawsuits), and that left two: Ronald and Ernie. Ronald went to jail and Ernie refused to return to record with Ronald. Chris never went back to the group after Isley-Jasper-Isley split and started his own label, and continued to record and produce other artists. Chris was the only one of the "brothers" to keep in touch with Marvin until Marvin's recent passing...sad, sad story.

Yeah... real tragic. But at least we'll still have memories of their music even if the Isleys are no more. Hell, I still think the Isleys really stopped doing things together entirely after O'Kelly passed away and then the split with Isley-Jasper-Isley was the real nail in the coffin. Honestly it's been the Ronald Isley show since 1989.

That being said, give props to Angela Winbush for at least keeping that Isley Brothers facade going until at least the Eternal album:

My favorite Isley/Winbush collaboration, plus one of the first times I ever heard that voice (and seen his face on TV). I thought it was quite strange at even five that Ronald was the only one on the video yet I saw "The Isley Brothers" as the name of the artist. Took me a year or two to figure it out.

From three distinct periods:

1950's (during their doo-wop period):

1960's (the Motown era):

1980's:

----

I never saw one group go from doo-wop to Motown to funk rock... no one other than the Isleys.

Timmy84 said:

That being said, give props to Angela Winbush for at least keeping that Isley Brothers facade going until at least the Eternal album:

My favorite Isley/Winbush collaboration, plus one of the first times I ever heard that voice (and seen his face on TV). I thought it was quite strange at even five that Ronald was the only one on the video yet I saw "The Isley Brothers" as the name of the artist. Took me a year or two to figure it out.

You might as well consider Spend The Night a Ron Isley solo album.

JabarR74 said:

Timmy84 said:

That being said, give props to Angela Winbush for at least keeping that Isley Brothers facade going until at least the Eternal album:

My favorite Isley/Winbush collaboration, plus one of the first times I ever heard that voice (and seen his face on TV). I thought it was quite strange at even five that Ronald was the only one on the video yet I saw "The Isley Brothers" as the name of the artist. Took me a year or two to figure it out.

You might as well consider Spend The Night a Ron Isley solo album.

I have to correct myself: the start of the Ron Isley show was really when they put out Smooth Sailin'. Though Rudolph is on both Smooth Sailin' and Spend the Night, the shock of losing O'Kelly and his own wishes to trade his secular career for a career in the ministry (I think his illness forced him out) led to Rudy not wanting to promote so Ronald did it all by himself from 1987 onwards. He even appeared in the "Smooth Sailin' (Tonight)" video by himself.

Timmy84 said:

KGA said:

Yes...a brief history...the Older Brothers wanted the younger brothers to file bankruptcy with them and then break their contract with CBS, but the younger brothers refused becaused they didn't need to go bankrupt. The Older Brothers filed bankruptcy and broke their contract with CBS and told the younger brothers they were out. The younger brothers continued with CBS and recorded as Isley-Jasper-Isley, and the Older Brothers then sued the younger brothers and CBS in court to try to stop the younger brothers from recording the Isley-Jasper-Isley album, but were unsuccessful in stopping the project. When Isley-Jasper-Isley broke up, Ernie went solo with "High Wire", Chris released "Superbad" and Marvin eventually returned to Ronald after O'Kelley passed away. Ernie then returned after his solo career wasn't going anywhere and it was Ernie, Marvin and Ronald (Rudolph retired) for a while. Then, Marvin got sick and he was put out of the group (more lawsuits), and that left two: Ronald and Ernie. Ronald went to jail and Ernie refused to return to record with Ronald. Chris never went back to the group after Isley-Jasper-Isley split and started his own label, and continued to record and produce other artists. Chris was the only one of the "brothers" to keep in touch with Marvin until Marvin's recent passing...sad, sad story.

Yeah... real tragic. But at least we'll still have memories of their music even if the Isleys are no more. Hell, I still think the Isleys really stopped doing things together entirely after O'Kelly passed away and then the split with Isley-Jasper-Isley was the real nail in the coffin. Honestly it's been the Ronald Isley show since 1989.

[img:$uid]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WWIy23PK7tM/S8dpf2rvyrI/AAAAAAAAHhQ/YKw5F76IRvE/s1600/The+Isley+Brothers.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://imagecache.blastro.com/images/feat/Discogs_IsleyBrothers.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://cache3.asset-cache.net/xc/80192677.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=77BFBA49EF8789215ABF3343C02EA548F6E3B2C021324E39C556273199264ED26B98A4A317A0A0CD[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://www.goldminemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/isleybrothersfringe.jpg[/img:$uid]

[Edited 1/16/11 12:44pm]

KGA said:

Timmy84 said:

Yeah... real tragic. But at least we'll still have memories of their music even if the Isleys are no more. Hell, I still think the Isleys really stopped doing things together entirely after O'Kelly passed away and then the split with Isley-Jasper-Isley was the real nail in the coffin. Honestly it's been the Ronald Isley show since 1989.

As far as the timeline goes, the group had already split by the time O'Kelly passed away. Angela got them back on track, but then look what Ronald did to her...treated her as bad as he treated his own brothers! Cheating, stealing, etc., etc. He only used Marvin and Ernie so he could keep using the Isley Brothers name, but after the split in 1984, Ronald never produced an album on his own, never played an instrument, never wrote a song...he always needed lots, and lots of help. I just have to say it was always Chris and Ernie who wrote and produced the music before the split...Ronald took all the credit and still takes all the credit to this day. If the younger brothers had not joined the group with 3+3, the Older guys would have still been a vocal trio and would have gone the way of all the other vocal trios of the time...it was the music that sustained the Isley Brothers and gave them the longevity that Ronald claims for himself. If you recall, he went to jail because, as the judge said, he was a serial tax cheat and never voluntarily paid a dime of taxes during his entire life...and he stole his brothers' inheritance...this is not a guy who should be honored at all...it's a shame.

The Isleys with Hendrix:

[img:$uid]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XyoJLAVGZQg/S8nSdEiWPWI/AAAAAAAAANQ/MsgrgfVOZjs/s1600/jimi533.jpg[/img:$uid]

KGA said:

KGA said:

As far as the timeline goes, the group had already split by the time O'Kelly passed away. Angela got them back on track, but then look what Ronald did to her...treated her as bad as he treated his own brothers! Cheating, stealing, etc., etc. He only used Marvin and Ernie so he could keep using the Isley Brothers name, but after the split in 1984, Ronald never produced an album on his own, never played an instrument, never wrote a song...he always needed lots, and lots of help. I just have to say it was always Chris and Ernie who wrote and produced the music before the split...Ronald took all the credit and still takes all the credit to this day. If the younger brothers had not joined the group with 3+3, the Older guys would have still been a vocal trio and would have gone the way of all the other vocal trios of the time...it was the music that sustained the Isley Brothers and gave them the longevity that Ronald claims for himself. If you recall, he went to jail because, as the judge said, he was a serial tax cheat and never voluntarily paid a dime of taxes during his entire life...and he stole his brothers' inheritance...this is not a guy who should be honored at all...it's a shame.

I have to agree. It's a shame he had to sell out his brothers (particularly Jasper, Marvin and Ernie) just so he could be giving full recognition (and that shouldn't have even been the case at all).

[Edited 1/16/11 12:49pm]

[img:$uid]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qtzEjdadQQI/Sl4hHuXPDgI/AAAAAAAAAx8/sIW-1JpuLQk/s400/The+Isley+Brothers.jpg[/img:$uid]

Ernie has been touring with other top guitarists on an "Experience Hendrix" tour. How about some Isley-Jasper-Isley:

Caravan was a #1 hit and also went #1 in Europe after it was covered by the Housemartins:

And some more Isley-Jasper-Isley classics: