History Of The Isley Brothers | Mental Itch

“Shout” became their first charting single, placing at #47 on the Hot 100, while it never made a dent on the R&B singles charts. The song became very popular and one of the influential American tunes, prompting several covers by other artists such as Lulu and Tommy James and the Shondells. The Beatles had also recorded their own live version (found on their Anthology I album). “Shout” has also been used as commercial jingles as well as for any important events (like weddings).

Other than their first hit The Isley Brothers following singles were flops. They eventually parted ways with RCA in 1962. The group then moved to Wand, where they also issued their sole hit again with the label “Twist and Shout” that same year, reaching #17 on the Hot 100 and #2 on the R&B singles chart. “Twist And Shout” was the brothers’ cover of the Top Notes’ original, and would be covered by other artists as well, with the best-known version being performed by the Beatles. Despite this success, the group fell into familiar territory again, releasing so-so singles.

label T-Neck Records in 1964. The Isley Brothers then recruited a young guitarist by the name of Jimmy James to back them up on many of their songs, including the single “Testify.” James later rose to become more known globally as Jimi Hendrix. T-Necks records had Atlantic Records as its distribution arm. However, neither of these efforts proved to be fruitful, and James left the band a year later.

In 1965, the group signed the Motown Records’ subsidiary Tamla in 1965. The group scored another hit with 1966’s “The Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)” which broke into the Top 20 pop chart for the first time at #12. It also landed at #6 on the soul singles chart.

But like in their experience with previous labels, success still remained elusive for The Isley Brothers. With the re-release of “The Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You),” it peaked at #3 on the UK singles chart in 1968. Spurred by the success of the song over the British shores, the group flew there in hopes of saving their declining career. Still after a short stint there, they moved back to the States the following year. Upon their return, they left Tamla and went back to revive their own label T-Neck.

Isley Brothers Success

This time, the gods seemed to smile upon The Isley Brothers. In 1969, their next single released on T-Neck, “It’s Your Thing” was decidedly funk. It went to #2 on the pop chart – their highest peak by the band ever on the Hot 100 – and #1 on the R&B singles chart. A major success had come to The Isley Brothers at last.

Also in 1969, more new members came their way. Younger brothers Ernie and Marvin Isley joined the group, as well as Chris Jasper who was their brother-in-law, and Everett Collins who was a family friend – all served as the group’s back-up musicians.

Embracing the Disco Trend in the 1970s

Ushering into the 1970s, the Isley Brothers scored more hits and even embraced the disco trend. Such hits during the decade include: “Pop That Thang,” “That Lady” (at #6 on the pop chart), “Fight the Power (at #4), “Livin’ in the Life,” and others that hit the Top 10 R&B singles chart. In 1975, their album The Heat Is On was their first album to reach the top of the Billboard 200.

Into the 1980s, The Isley Brothers still remained popular. However, Jasper and brothers Ernie and Marvin left in 1984 to form their own group Isley Jasper Isley. Two years later, O’Kelly succumbed to a heart attack. In 1989, Rudolph left the band and retired from the music industry for good to answer another call – being a minister.

Revivng the Group, and The Isley Brothers Today

Ronald, Ernie and Marvin Isley revived the group in 1991, releasing another albumMission to Please. However, another blow struck the band when Marvin was suffering diabetes; the condition left him with no choice but to amputate both of his legs. This left Ronald and Ernie to carry on The Isley Brothers name as a duo. In 2001, The Isley duo released Eternal which featured artists such as Jill Scott and Jimmy Jam. The album featured the single “Contagious” which became a Top 20 hit (at #19). Ronald soon had a name of his own as his character Mr. Biggs in R. Kelly’s music video of the latter’s hit “Down Low (Nobody Has to Know).”

In 2003, the duo released another album Body Kiss, which became their second #1 album on the Billboard 200, reaching gold status. 2006’s Baby Makin’ Music also became a Top 10 pop album hit. Ronald Isley was released from prison in 2010 after serving his sentence borne out of his tax evasion charges back in 2006. Tragedy rocked the brothers as Marvin died later that year, from complications brought on by diabetes.