Rudolph Isley, a founding member of the Isley Brothers who provided backing vocals on the majority of the legendary soul group’s hits, has died at the age of 84.
Rudolph leaves behind a music legacy that will be cherished by fans worldwide. His brother Ronald Isley expressed his grief, 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, the second eldest son of the Isley clan, and brothers O’Kelly and Ronald formed the vocal harmony group during the dawn of rock ’n’ roll in the late 1950s. They spent the ensuing decades nimbly navigating shifting styles, building a formidable body of work in the process.
Primarily a backing singer in the Isley Brothers, Rudolph retired from the group in the late 1980s, but he played a central role during the first 30 years of their existence, a period when the Isleys were one of the biggest acts in R&B.
In recent months, Rudolph found himself embroiled in a legal battle with his brother Ronald over the rights to the Isley Brothers name. While the details of the dispute remain unclear, it is a sad end to their relationship. With Rudolph’s passing, only Ronald and Ernie remain as the surviving members of the Isley Brothers.
The iconic singer died on Wednesday in Illinois, although the cause of his death is still unclear. However, it is believed that he suffered a heart attack. Read More About Rudolph Isley
