Personalities | The Isley Brothers | Sixties | Rock

(Vocal/instrumental group, 1957–present)

This long-careered family group originally comprised brothers O’Kelly, Rudolph and Ronald who travelled from 1950s gospel to 1980s disco with frequent and influential success. Their early R&B hits ‘Shout’ (1957) and ‘Twist And Shout’ (1962) became standards, while their 1964 backing band included the young Jimi Hendrix. They scored only one US success on signing with Motown, 1966’s ‘This Old Heart Of Mine’, and spent much of the decade in Britain (where the song eventually made No. 3 in 1968).

In the 1970s, they merged rock and soul with the hits ‘That Lady’, ‘Summer Breeze’ and the uplifting ‘Harvest For The World’ (UK No. 10), adding brothers Ernie (guitar) and Marvin (bass) and cousin Chris Jasper (keyboards), but fragmented in the 1980s (O’Kelly died in 1986). Recordings continued, however, and respect from the new generation of R&B artists including R. Kelly revived their fortunes in the 1990s. Ronald Isley served three years from 2006 for tax evasion.

Styles & Forms | Sixties | Rock
Personalities | The Jackson Five/The Jacksons | Sixties | Rock

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley

AUTHORITATIVE

An extensive music information resource, bringing together the talents and expertise of a wide range of editors and musicologists, including Stanley Sadie, Charles Wilson, Paul Du Noyer, Tony Byworth, Bob Allen, Howard Mandel, Cliff Douse, William Schafer, John Wilson...

CURATED

Classical, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Country and more. Flame Tree has been making encyclopaedias and guides about music for over 20 years. Now Flame Tree Pro brings together a huge canon of carefully curated information on genres, styles, artists and instruments. It's a perfect tool for study, and entertaining too, a great companion to our music books.

Rock, A Life Story

Rock, A Life Story

The ultimate story of a life of rock music, from the 1950s to the present day.

David Bowie

David Bowie

Fantastic new, unofficial biography covers his life, music, art and movies, with a sweep of incredible photographs.