"Between the Sheets," "For the Love of You," "Footsteps in the Dark" the Isley Brothers brought classic hit after classic hit for decades. Now, one of their own is no longer with us, leaving a rich legacy that we can all listen to. Rudolph Isley, one of the founding members of The Isley Brothers, has passed away, his family announced.
He was 84.
His lawyer, Brian Caplan, confirmed the news to the website Pitchfork, saying: “Rudolph Isley, a founding member of the world-famous Isley Brothers, died peacefully in his sleep on the morning of 11 October 2023.
You May Also Like
Rudolph's brother and fellow crooner Ronald "Mr. Biggs" Isley shared his feelings about the loss in a statement to ABC News, saying, "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."
Rudolph founded The Isley Brothers in the '50s with brothers O'Kelly, Ronald and Vernon, although Vernon passed away a few years after their formation. The first song the three brothers wrote was "Shout!," which became one of the band's biggest hits and was immortalized in the movie "National Lampoon's Animal House."
Other songs made famous by The Isley Brothers include "Twist and Shout" and "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak For You)" along with "It's Your Thing," which earned them a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.
You May Also Like
While Rudolph infrequently sang lead vocals, he contributed songwriting and backing vocals to many of the group’s hits, including “That Lady,” “Nobody But Me,” and “Testify,” the latter featuring a young guitarist named Jimi Hendrix.
The group has sold over 18 million units in the United States alone. They are among the few groups ever to have hit the Billboard Hot 100 with new music in six different decades. Sixteen of their albums charted in the Top 40 and thirteen of those albums have been certified gold, platinum or multi-platinum by the RIAA.
Rudolph, who was known for wearing hats and fur-attired clothing, retired from the group in 1989. He and his brothers were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
In 1993, their “Footsteps in the Dark” was sampled by Ice Cube for his hip-hop classic “It Was a Good Day.” The following year, their “Between the Sheets” was sampled by The Notorious B.I.G. in “Big Poppa.” “Luxurious” from Gwen Stefani’s 2004 solo debut Love. Angel. Music. Baby. also benefited from a prominent sample of “Between the Sheets.” Aaliyah included a cover version of the group’s “(At Your Best) You Are Love” on her debut album.
The group’s music has been featured endlessly in other films and on tv shows. Many of them are classics in their own right. Some highlights include: Ticket to Paradise (2022), The Tender Bar (2021), The Blacklist (2021), Uncle Drew (2018), Sausage Party (2016), Dancing With the Stars (2014), The Heat (2013), Scandal (2012), The Simpsons (2010), Superbad (2007), The Wire (2006), Wedding Crashers (2005), Anchorman (2004), Boys Don’t Cry (1999), Rush Hour (1998), Out of Sight (1998), Friday (1995), Menace II Society (1993), The Wonder Years (1990), Cheers (1986) and Animal House (1978).
Joined in the late Sixties by younger brothers Marvin and Ernie, Rudolph remained with the Isley Brothers throughout their many genre shifts, from funk and disco to quiet storm and R&B.
However, his tenure with the brotherly act ended in 1989 when — following Kelly’s death three years earlier — he decided to leave the music industry and become a Christian minister. Throughout the ensuing decades, Rudolph would only occasionally reunite with his brothers — however, he wasn’t present when the Isley Brothers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 — but in the months before Rudolph’s death, he was involved in a legal battle against his brother Ronald over the legal rights to the Isley Brothers name.
With Rudolph’s death, the only surviving Isley Brothers are Ronald and Ernie.
