How did Rudolph Isley die? Founding member of hit band ‘The Isley Brothers’ with career spanning 6 decades was 84

2023-10-13 05:21

Rudolph Isley started 'The Isley Brothers' with his brothers Ronald, O’Kelly, and Vernon in the 1950s in Cincinnati, Ohio

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Rudolph Isley, who co-founded the iconic R&B and soul group 'The Isley Brothers,' died on Wednesday, October 11, at the age of 84 in Illinois.

TMZ, citing a source, revealed that he may have had a heart attack, but the cause of his death is not yet confirmed.

When did Rudolph Isley start 'The Isley Brothers'?

Rudolph started 'The Isley Brothers' with his brothers Ronald, O’Kelly, and Vernon in the 1950s in Cincinnati, Ohio, as per the Sun.

Vernon died in a car crash in 1955 at the age of 13, but the group continued and moved to New York with Ronald as the lead singer and Rudolph and O’Kelly as backup singers.

They later added their younger brothers Ernie and Marvin and Rudolph’s brother-in-law Chris Jasper to the band.

'The Isley Brothers' became one of the most influential and successful musical acts of all time with a career spanning over six decades.

They had hits such as 'Twist and Shout' (covered by the Beatles), 'This Old Heart of Mine', 'It’s Your Thing', 'That Lady', and 'Fight the Power.'

Two Grammys and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

'The Isley Brothers' considered as Americas most iconic R&B and soul groups won two Grammys and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 by Little Richard.

The group also inspired many artists who sampled their songs, such as Gwen Stefani, 50 Cent, Biggie Smalls, Beyonce, and Snoop Dogg.

'The Isley Brothers' released new albums in recent years such as 'Power of Peace' in 2017 and 'Make Me Say It Again, Girl' in 2022.

They also collaborated with Snoop Dogg on 'Friends and Family' in 2020 and with Beyonce on a remake of 'Make Me Say It Again, Girl' in 2020.

Rudolph Isley's marriage and leaving the band in 1988

Rudolph, who is thought to have a net worth of $2 million, married Elaine Jasper in 1958.

He left the band in 1988 to become a Christian minister. Rudolph Isley is survived by his wife Elaine Jasper Isley and their children Elizabeth, Valerie, Elaine and Rudy, along with his grandchildren, as per Los Angeles Times.

Rudolph Isley, as per the publication, reunited with his brothers for the last time on stage in 2004 when BET gave the group a lifetime achievement award.

In March 2023, Rudolph sued Ronald claiming that his brother registered the trademark for 'The Isley Brothers' as an individual, thereby excluding his sibling from his rights in their partnership.