Rudolph Isley, a founding member of the legendary R&B group The Isley Brothers, died at the age of 84 on Wednesday, October 11, Billboard reports.
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Ronald Isley, Rudolph’s brother and the band’s lead singer, confirmed his passing in a statement to Billboard. No cause of death has been announced.
The Isley Brothers also posted the following tribute to Rudolph of their Instagram: “Heaven has gained another angel. Our hearts are heavy as we announce the passing of our beloved brother, Rudolph Isley. As we navigate through this deep sorrow, we kindly ask for understanding and respect for our family’s privacy during this challenging time. Remember to hold your loved ones close. We will miss our brother but we know he’s in a better place. Forever in our hearts.”
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The Isley Brothers formed in the Cincinnati area in the mid-1950s by four Isley siblings — O’Kelly, Rudolph, Ronald, and Vernon — although the group temporarily disbanded after Vernon was killed in 1955 at age 13 in a bike accident.
The group reformed as a trio in 1957, and relocated to New York City. The band soon began finding chart success, and scored its first hit in 1959 with the classic song “Shout,” which Rudolph co-wrote with O’Kelly and Ronald. Then in 1962, The Isley Brothers notched their first Top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Twist and Shout,” which The Beatles would soon make even more famous.
Two younger Isley siblings, Marvin and Ernie, began playing with the group in 1969, ushering in the band’s most successful period. In ’69, the group released the funky “It’s Your Thing,” also co-written by Rudolph, O’Kelly, and Ronald, which reached No. 2 on the Hot 100. The tune was honored with a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.
Other Isley Brother hits co-written by Rudolph include “I Turned You On” (1969), “Pop That Thang” (1972), “That Lady” (1973), and “Fight the Power” and “For the Love of You” (both 1975). The album that featured the two latter songs, The Heat Is On, became the group’s only No. 1 album on the Billboard 200.
Rudolph left The Isley Brothers in 1989 to focus on being a Christian minister. As a member of the group, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003. The Isley Brothers also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.
Prior to Rudolph passing, O’Kelly Isley died in 1986 and Marvin Isley died in 2010. The group currently consists of Ronald and Ernie Isley.
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