The Isley Brothers

The Isley Brothers are a hugely successful group that began their musical career in Cincinnati, Ohio in the early 1950s. Ever since their first records in 1957, the Isleys have remained active with a repertoire that has included gospel, doo-wop, pop, R&B, Motown, soul, funk, rock, disco, and hip-hop. The Isley Brothers hold the record for being the only band and only act to have scored a Hot 100 hit in six consecutive decades: '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s and '00s, and are also one of the most sampled and most covered bands in music history.

Related Topics:
Cincinnati, Ohio - 1950s - 1957 - Gospel - Doo-wop - Pop - R&B - Motown - Soul - Funk - Rock - Disco - Hip-hop - Hot 100 - Sampled - Covered

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The group, whose original four members were the sons of singer Kelly and pianist Sallye Isley, first formed as a gospel quartet featuring brothers O'Kelly, Rudolph, Ronald and Vernon Isley, in 1954. After Vernon's tragic death in 1955 due to a bicycle accident, the brothers reformed and from 1955 to 1973 performed as a full-fledged trio. In 1973, with the arrivals of younger brothers Ernie, Marvin and brother-in-law Chris Jasper, the group became a full-fledged band. They continued as a sextet under the "3+3" moniker until 1984, when the younger half split and formed Isley-Jasper-Isley.

Related Topics:
Gospel - O'Kelly - Rudolph - Ronald - 1954 - 1955 - 1973 - Ernie - Marvin - Chris Jasper - 1984 - Isley-Jasper-Isley

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The Isleys returned as the original trio briefly until O'Kelly's untimely passing on March 31, 1986 then carried on as a duo until 1989 when Rudolph retired to become a minister. After a brief split, the group returned in some form in 1991 with brothers Ernie and Marvin singing with Ronald again until 1997 when Marvin contracted diabetes. From then until now, the Isley Brothers' lineup includes Ronald, a/k/a "Mr. Biggs", and Ernie.

Related Topics:
March 31 - 1986 - 1989 - 1991 - 1997

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