Rudolph Isley — a co-founding member of the Isley Brothers who sang backing vocals on a number of iconic soul group's enduring hits — has died.
A statement shared with Pitchfork, written by Isley's daughter, read that Isley "died peacefully in his sleep on the morning of October 11, 2023" at his home "with his devoted wife Elaine by his side."
"There are no words to express my feelings and the love I have for my brother. Our family will miss him. But I know he's in a better place," Ronald Isley said in a statement released to multiple outlets Thursday.
Born in Cincinnati, OH, in 1939, Rudolph Isley began singing with his brothers in church, ahead of performing and touring as a quartet with siblings O'Kelly, Ronald and Vernon Isley. Lead vocalist Vernon was killed at thirteen years old after being struck by a driver while cycling, and the surviving brothers briefly disbanded.
After regrouping, Rudolph, Ronald and O'Kelly Isley moved to New York in 1957 with the goal of landing a recording deal. After signing with RCA Records in 1959, the trio scored a breakout hit that same year in "Shout," and found another top 40 hit in 1962 with a cover of "Twist and Shout" — a year before the Beatles cut their well-known rendition.
The 1960s saw Rudolph and Isley Brothers briefly record for Motown's Tamla Records imprint, though they would split with Berry Gordy's label before the decade was out. Reviving their own T-Neck Records label, the Isleys would open the next chapter of their career with 1969 single "It's Your Thing," a chart success that would nab them a Grammy award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.
Following a prolific 1970s period — over which the group released career-defining LPs exploring soul, funk, rock and R&B — Rudolph would exit the Isley Brothers in in 1989, deciding to pursue preaching as a Christian minister. Isley and his bandmates were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, and he himself was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2022.
In March of this year, Rudolph sued brother and former bandmate Ronald for allegedly attempting to trademark "The Isley Brothers" exclusively under his name.
A statement shared with Pitchfork, written by Isley's daughter, read that Isley "died peacefully in his sleep on the morning of October 11, 2023" at his home "with his devoted wife Elaine by his side."
"There are no words to express my feelings and the love I have for my brother. Our family will miss him. But I know he's in a better place," Ronald Isley said in a statement released to multiple outlets Thursday.
Born in Cincinnati, OH, in 1939, Rudolph Isley began singing with his brothers in church, ahead of performing and touring as a quartet with siblings O'Kelly, Ronald and Vernon Isley. Lead vocalist Vernon was killed at thirteen years old after being struck by a driver while cycling, and the surviving brothers briefly disbanded.
After regrouping, Rudolph, Ronald and O'Kelly Isley moved to New York in 1957 with the goal of landing a recording deal. After signing with RCA Records in 1959, the trio scored a breakout hit that same year in "Shout," and found another top 40 hit in 1962 with a cover of "Twist and Shout" — a year before the Beatles cut their well-known rendition.
The 1960s saw Rudolph and Isley Brothers briefly record for Motown's Tamla Records imprint, though they would split with Berry Gordy's label before the decade was out. Reviving their own T-Neck Records label, the Isleys would open the next chapter of their career with 1969 single "It's Your Thing," a chart success that would nab them a Grammy award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.
Following a prolific 1970s period — over which the group released career-defining LPs exploring soul, funk, rock and R&B — Rudolph would exit the Isley Brothers in in 1989, deciding to pursue preaching as a Christian minister. Isley and his bandmates were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, and he himself was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2022.
In March of this year, Rudolph sued brother and former bandmate Ronald for allegedly attempting to trademark "The Isley Brothers" exclusively under his name.
