Isley Brother' Ronald Isley: `Old School' Master Teams Up With R. Kelly And Wins New Fans

Jet, Sept 3, 2001

Ernie, Marvin and Jasper split from the family group and formed their own trio, Isley Jasper Isley, in the 1984 and scored big with the ballad Caravan of Love.

O'Kelly Isley died of a heart attack in 1986. Brother Rudolph Isley stopped performing with the family group in the '80s to devote himself to the ministry. Brother Marvin is suffering from diabetes and no longer performs.

The Isley Brothers have become the most sampled group in the music industry. Among the hip-hop artists who have sampled their work are Ice Cube, Salt `N' Pepa, Warren G., Slick Rick and the late Notorious B.I.G. Their tunes have been covered by such artists as Whitney Houston (For the Love of You); Aaliyah (At Your Best (You Are Love)); Vanessa Williams (Work To Do); and Fourplay (Between The Sheets).

Reflecting on their long careers and influence on today's music, Ernie notes: "Always trying out new stuff is what keeps music alive. We believe in including as many influences as we can, just like Rock `n' Roll borrows from all styles of music. When you listen to our music, the years and experience that have gone into it are obvious. We're seasoned professionals. We've changed along with American music and are still coming up with new things, but our years of experience are very apparent on the new album."

Adds Ronald, "This record captures what the Isley Brothers do best. The fact that we've been able to do this after all these years is a gift from God that well always appreciate."