Isley Brothers members list explored as founding member Rudolph Isley dies aged 84

American singer Rudolph Isley, best known for being one of the founding members of the R&B musical group The Isley Brothers, passed away at the age of 84 on October 11. The news of his death was confirmed by his lawyer, Brian Caplan, to media outlet Pitchfork via a statement that read:

“Rudolph Isley, a founding member of the world-famous Isley Brothers, died peacefully in his sleep on the morning of 11 October 2023. He died at his home, with his devoted wife Elaine by his side. They had been married for 68 years. Rudolph was a deeply religious man who loved Jesus.”

In a statement issued to ABC News, Ronald Isley, Rudolph's brother, expressed his grief about the passing of his brother and bandmate. He said:

"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."

As of writing, no cause of death has been revealed regarding Rudolph Isley's sudden demise.

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Rudolph Isley and his other bandmates were brothers

Born on April 1, 1939, Rudolph Isley was a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. Isley started singing in church with his brothers Ronald, O'Kelly, and Vernon, the younger brother who was killed in a car accident when he was a teenager.

He not only performed harmony and sometimes lead vocals for the group but also co-wrote songs, including their 1959 breakout song Shout, a gospel-style call-and-response song centered on the phrase "You know you make me wanna shout!"

It was around this time that the Isley Brothers discovered a teenage guitarist from Seattle called Jimi Hendrix. In 1965, Hendrix quit to pursue his own success, and the lsleys signed with Berry Gordy's Motown label.

While they had several successes with songs such as This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You) and I Guess I'll Always Love You, the group left the company in 1968, founding their own label, T-Neck Records, and shifting their focus to funk.

Later, the group was joined by other members like Rudolph Isley's brothers Ernie and Marvin, and brother-in-law Chris Jasper.

Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, the group had a number of hit singles, including Summer Breeze, That Lady, Harvest for the World, and Footsteps in the Dark, before reuniting as a trio in 1984, when Marvin, Ernie, and Chris left to form the Isley-Jasper-Isley group.

Rudolph departed the band in 1989 to pursue a career as a Christian priest. The band went on to release their most recent album, Make Me Say It Again, Girl, which included featured performances from Beyoncé, Snoop Dogg, and Earth, Wind & Fire.

The Isley Brothers' other hits include Twist and Shout and This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak For You), as well as It's Your Thing, which won them a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.

Rudolph Isley, who was renowned for donning hats and fur coats, left the group in 1989. In 1992, he and his siblings were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Isley leaves behind his spouse of 65 years, Elaine Jasper Isley, and their kids Valerie, Rudy, Elizabeth, and Elaine, and grandchildren.