Isley Brothers Ronald & Ernie still groovin' after four decades with hit CD, 'Body Kiss': fortunately, some good things in life don't change

Jet, July 14, 2003 by Clarence Waldron

And the smooth, sensuous and soulful sound of the legendary song group the Isley Brothers is among those good things.

The family group, featuring singer Ronald Isley and his brother guitarist Ernie Isley, has been recording and touring widely for more than 40 years. Consistent hit-makers, the Isleys' latest album Body Kiss hit the No. 1 spot on pop and R&B charts.

It is the group's first No. 1 album since the critically acclaimed The Heat Is On album in 1975.

The smash album features 11 songs written, arranged and produced by hit master R. Kelly, including the top-selling single What Would You Do? The album also features guest appearances by Kelly, Lil' Kim, Snoop Dogg and new female group, JS.

The Isleys remain the only group to have had top hits in every decade since the 1950s.

Ronald explains the group's amazing longevity: "Faith in God and the gift He gave us. We learned that we had that gift early, so we tried to preserve it."

They arrived on the charts in 1959 with the million-selling Shout. A long string of hits followed, including Twist and Shout, It's Your Thing, For The Love Of You, Between the Sheets, Groove With You, Harvest For The World, Fight the Power and Footsteps in the Dark. And recently, the Isleys scored with Contagious from the 2001 hit album Eternal.

Over the decades, the has seen several lineup changes. The group won fame in 1959 as a trio featuring Ronald, O'Kelly and Rudolph Isley. Ernie Isley joined the family group in 1969, and contributed his brilliant bass playing to the big hit It's Your Thing. The Isley Brothers later expanded to include Marvin Isley and brother-in-law Chris Jasper.

Ernie, Marvin and Jasper left the group and formed Isley Jasper Isley and won new fans with Caravan of Love in 1984.

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

The Isley Brothers have survived personnel changes and remain on top today because they are not afraid to keep up with what is happening on the music scene. "We love the business," explains Ronald. "I stay so close to the business. A lot of people get so far in this business, then they take off and start doing other things. They don't have the same will and the same drive to compete with whatever is craning out. They say, 'Well, that's disco, and I don't like this or that' or 'I'm not listening to the radio until they stop playing rap.'"

Ronald points out, I think very young ired keep up with whatever is happening. I don't look at the music like you can't play this because you are this age, you can't do this because of this. Music is music. Happy Birthday was a hit 400 years ago and it's a hit now. That's how I look at music. I'm staying up with what is happening in the streets."

Certainly, a key to the Isleys' survival in the industry is Ronald's musical bond with R. Kelly. He and Kelly have developed a father-son relationship.

Kelly grew up hearing his mother play and sing the Isley Brothers' music. "That's why we have the strong relationship that we have. He calls me 'Pops' and all that. He's like a son to me. He thinks so much like us. When I want to do something, it's like doing it with the brothers. Our communication is that way. He's a genius, a true musical genius."

The Isley Brothers are not afraid to reinvent themselves.

Kelly and the Isleys came up with "Mr. Biggs" name and character, which represents power and wealth.

Mr. Biggs is Ronald's alter ego and is featured in the latest video, What Would You Do? Kelly also contributes vocals to the tune and portrays Biggs' arch :nemesis in the video. Mr. Biggs has become such a hit that the Isley Brothers' full name is now the Isley Brothers featuring Ronald Isley aka Mr. Biggs. Ronald's Mr. Biggs last appeared in the group's Contagious and Secret Lover videos two years ago. Ronald remembers the advice he and his brothers received from their mother years ago that has kept them going in music: "My mother taught us in order to survive in this business, 'You've got to sing everything, learn everything ... from gospel, which was our starting point, country and western, R&B, pop, fast songs, slow songs.' If I had to be a tapper today, I could do it."

While the brothers aren't afraid to stay contemporary and win new young fans, they never go too far from the vintage Isley Brothers' sound that their older fans expect and love.

"I know that I can't ever let them down. I have to give them that."

They also are passing on their experience by managing the new girl group JS, who contributes backup vocals on Body Kiss and often tour with them. JS features sisters Kim and Kandy Johnson. Their debut album Ice Cream is set for release in July--with R. Kelly as one of the executive producers.

Says Ronald, "They are not like any other group out there. I've worked with them fin' four years ... There's no one who can touch them. Mark my words: JS will have a real impact."