Rudolph Isley
Encyclopedia
Rudolph Bernard Isley better known as Rudy Isley, is an American singer-songwriter
and is one of the founding members of the legendary family group, The Isley Brothers
.
, Ron
and Vernon. In 1957, following their younger brother Vernon's death, the three Isleys moved from Cincinnati to New York recording with small record labels before landing a major deal with RCA Records
in 1959 where the group recorded and released their breakthrough hit, "Shout". By the summer of 1959, the Isley family had moved from Cincinnati to a home in Englewood, New Jersey
.
After recording several minor hits, including their first top 40 smash, "Twist & Shout", the group landed a deal with Motown Records
in 1965. However their tenure, save for the hit, "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)
", was lackluster and they soon left Motown to reform their own label, T-Neck Records
, in 1969 where they co-wrote and released the 1969 funk anthem, "It's Your Thing
". The group's lineup - and style - changed drastically following the release of the single and by the early 1970s, the brothers had adapted a more flamboyant image after reforming the group as a sextet featuring younger brothers Ernie Isley
and Marvin Isley
and in-law Chris Jasper
.
During the Isleys' so-called 3 + 3 period, Rudy's gruff vocals helped to deliver some of the brothers' funk-driven recordings including "Fight the Power
" and "Livin' in the Life
". Most of the time, Rudy shared leads with his younger brother Ron. Rudy got to take full lead on at least a few songs, notably the 1976 funk track, "You Still Feel the Need" from the band's Harvest for the World
. Rudy wrote the initial lyrics to the Isleys' "For the Love of You (Part 1 & 2)" as a poem to his wife, Elaine Jasper (Chris Jasper's elder sister), with whom he had married seventeen years prior. Isley lived with his wife and children in a home they bought in Teaneck, New Jersey
, where they lived for ten years. By the mid-1970s, Rudy was living in Haworth, New Jersey
.
In 1985, the Isleys' lineup shortened to three following the departures of the second younger-thirds of the group. In 1986, the Isleys' career was nearly derailed following eldest brother O'Kelly's death. After recording two more albums, 1987's Smooth Sailin'
and 1989's Spend the Night, Rudy left the Isley Brothers for good in 1989 to make good on his plan to be a reverend leaving Ron Isley to carry on the Isley Brothers name as a solo artist though he has since recorded with several of the younger brothers, billing himself as The Isley Brothers featuring Ronald Isley, AKA Mr. Biggs.
Rudy Isley has survived several health problems including a stroke and a heart attack following his departure from the Isley Brothers. In 2004, Rudy briefly made a return to the stage with Ron and Ernie Isley performing "Shout" at the BET Awards
where the Isleys were honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Isleys were inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. Rudy served as the best man for his brother Ron's 2006 marriage to his backup singer Kandy Johnson. Rudy quietly lives with his wife in California.
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and is one of the founding members of the legendary family group, The Isley Brothers
The Isley Brothers
The Isley Brothers are a highly influential, successful and long-running American music group consisting of different line-ups of six brothers, and a brother-in-law, Chris Jasper...
.
Biography
Born in April 1939 to Sally and O'Kelly Isley, Sr. in Cincinnati, Rudy began singing in church at a young age and by his teen years was singing regularly with brothers O'KellyO'Kelly Isley, Jr.
O'Kelly Isley, Jr. , better known as Kelly Isley, was an American singer and one of the founding members of the legendary family group, The Isley Brothers.-Biography:...
, Ron
Ronald Isley
Ronald Isley is an American singer and is known as the lead singer and founding member of the family music group The Isley Brothers.-Career:...
and Vernon. In 1957, following their younger brother Vernon's death, the three Isleys moved from Cincinnati to New York recording with small record labels before landing a major deal with RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
in 1959 where the group recorded and released their breakthrough hit, "Shout". By the summer of 1959, the Isley family had moved from Cincinnati to a home in Englewood, New Jersey
Englewood, New Jersey
Englewood is a city located in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 27,147.Englewood was incorporated as a city by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 17, 1899, from portions of Ridgefield Township and the remaining portions of...
.
After recording several minor hits, including their first top 40 smash, "Twist & Shout", the group landed a deal with Motown Records
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
in 1965. However their tenure, save for the hit, "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)
This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)
"This Old Heart of Mine " is an Isley Brothers song from 1966 that was a hit for them during their brief tenure on Motown's Tamla label...
", was lackluster and they soon left Motown to reform their own label, T-Neck Records
T-Neck Records
T-Neck Records was a record label founded by The Isley Brothers in 1964.It's notable for having the Isleys becoming the first R&B band to form a record label, a rarity in black music. During the label's early years, the Isleys issued the records "Testify" and "Move Over And Let Me Dance", which...
, in 1969 where they co-wrote and released the 1969 funk anthem, "It's Your Thing
It's Your Thing
"It's Your Thing" is an influential funk single by the Isley Brothers. Released in 1969, the funk anthem was an artistic response to Motown chief Berry Gordy's demanding hold on his artists after the Isleys left the label in late-1968....
". The group's lineup - and style - changed drastically following the release of the single and by the early 1970s, the brothers had adapted a more flamboyant image after reforming the group as a sextet featuring younger brothers Ernie Isley
Ernie Isley
Ernest "Ernie" Isley is a member of the iconic American musical ensemble, The Isley Brothers.-Life and career:Ernie was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, where his older brothers formed The Isley Brothers, first as a gospel group, then as a secular-singing group. In 1960 his family moved to Englewood and...
and Marvin Isley
Marvin Isley
Marvin Isley was the youngest member of the family music group the Isley Brothers and its bass guitarist....
and in-law Chris Jasper
Chris Jasper
Chris Jasper is a former member of both the Isley Brothers and Isley-Jasper-Isley. He is also a successful solo artist and record producer, recording a number of his own solo albums, and producing artists, for his New York based record label, Gold City Records...
.
During the Isleys' so-called 3 + 3 period, Rudy's gruff vocals helped to deliver some of the brothers' funk-driven recordings including "Fight the Power
Fight the Power
"Fight the Power" is a single by American hip hop group Public Enemy. First released on the soundtrack for the film 1989 Do the Right Thing, a different version was released on the group's third studio album, Fear of a Black Planet . The single reached number one on Hot Rap Singles and number 20 on...
" and "Livin' in the Life
Livin' in the Life
"Livin' in the Life" is a funk song released as a single by The Isley Brothers on the T-Neck/Epic imprint in 1977. It was the third single released from the group's album, Go For Your Guns.-Song information:...
". Most of the time, Rudy shared leads with his younger brother Ron. Rudy got to take full lead on at least a few songs, notably the 1976 funk track, "You Still Feel the Need" from the band's Harvest for the World
Harvest for the World
Harvest for the World is a 1976 album released by The Isley Brothers on their T-Neck imprint.-Reception:The album included the successful socially-conscious title track and the top three R&B record, "Who Loves You Better?" The album sold over 500,000 copies in the first three weeks of release,...
. Rudy wrote the initial lyrics to the Isleys' "For the Love of You (Part 1 & 2)" as a poem to his wife, Elaine Jasper (Chris Jasper's elder sister), with whom he had married seventeen years prior. Isley lived with his wife and children in a home they bought in Teaneck, New Jersey
Teaneck, New Jersey
Teaneck is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, and a suburb in the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 39,776, making it the second-most populous among the 70 municipalities in Bergen County....
, where they lived for ten years. By the mid-1970s, Rudy was living in Haworth, New Jersey
Haworth, New Jersey
Haworth is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 3,382.Haworth was formed by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 24, 1904, from portions of both Dumont and Harrington Townships.-Geography:Haworth is...
.
In 1985, the Isleys' lineup shortened to three following the departures of the second younger-thirds of the group. In 1986, the Isleys' career was nearly derailed following eldest brother O'Kelly's death. After recording two more albums, 1987's Smooth Sailin'
Smooth Sailin'
Smooth Sailin is a 1987 album released by The Isley Brothers on Warner Bros. Records. This album was the first album that the brothers released as a duo of Rudolph and Ronald after the untimely death of eldest brother O'Kelly, who had died in March of the previous year of a heart attack...
and 1989's Spend the Night, Rudy left the Isley Brothers for good in 1989 to make good on his plan to be a reverend leaving Ron Isley to carry on the Isley Brothers name as a solo artist though he has since recorded with several of the younger brothers, billing himself as The Isley Brothers featuring Ronald Isley, AKA Mr. Biggs.
Rudy Isley has survived several health problems including a stroke and a heart attack following his departure from the Isley Brothers. In 2004, Rudy briefly made a return to the stage with Ron and Ernie Isley performing "Shout" at the BET Awards
BET Awards
The BET Awards were established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment over the past year. The awards are presented annually and broadcast live on BET...
where the Isleys were honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Isleys were inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. Rudy served as the best man for his brother Ron's 2006 marriage to his backup singer Kandy Johnson. Rudy quietly lives with his wife in California.