Rudolph Isley, a founding member of the iconic music group The Isley Brothers, passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 84. His death was confirmed by his daughter Elaine, who stated that he died at his home in Illinois with his devoted wife of 68 years by his side.
Born and raised in Cincinnati, Rudolph began his musical journey singing in church. He later formed The Isley Brothers with his siblings O’Kelly, Ronald, and Vernon. Following Vernon’s tragic death in a car accident in 1955, the band relocated to New York City and signed with RCA Records. Their breakout hit “Shout” came just a year after Rudolph married Elaine Jasper.
The Isley Brothers, known for their soulful doo-wop sound, produced numerous hits like “Twist and Shout”, “This Old Heart of Mine”, and “It’s Your Thing”. They even formed their own record company, T-Neck Records, in 1964 and briefly recruited Jimi Hendrix to play guitar for their band. By 1973, the group expanded to include their younger brothers Ernie and Marvin and brother-in-law Chris Jasper.
Rudolph Isley’s Isley Brother’s Hits
- “Shout” (1959)
- “Twist and Shout” (1962)
- “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)” (1966)
- “It’s Your Thing” (1969)
- “That Lady (Part 1)” (1973)
- “Fight the Power, Pts. 1 & 2” (1975)
- “Between the Sheets” (1983)
In 1989, Rudolph left The Isley Brothers to pursue his goal of becoming a Christian minister. His departure was also due to poor health and the death of his brother and bandmate O’Kelly. Despite this, he reunited with the band throughout their tenure. The Isley Brothers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three years later.
Rudolph Isley Net Worth
Rudolph Isley had a net worth of $2 Million at the time of his death. And no much information is available about his other assets and earning sources.
Rudolph made headlines in early 2023 when he filed a lawsuit against his brother Ronald over rights to ‘The Isley Brothers’ trademark. He claimed that Ronald registered the trademark on his own when it was actually jointly owned by them both.
Rudolph’s brother Ronald expressed his deep love for his brother and said that their family will miss him. As we remember Rudolph Isley, we celebrate his contributions to music and the legacy he leaves behind.
Q: Where was Rudolph Isley born?
A: Rudolph Isley was born and raised in Cincinnati.
Q: What is Rudolph Isley Age?
A: Rudolph Isley age when he died was 84 years.
Q: How did The Isley Brothers form?
A: Rudolph, along with his brothers, formed The Isley Brothers in the mid-1950s. They started as a gospel quartet and later transitioned to R&B.
Q: What are some of the hits produced by The Isley Brothers?
A: The Isley Brothers produced numerous hits like “Shout”, “Twist and Shout”, “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)”, and “It’s Your Thing”.
Q: Why did Rudolph leave The Isley Brothers?
A: Rudolph left the group in 1989 to pursue his lifelong goal of becoming a Christian minister.
Q: When were The Isley Brothers inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
A: Rudolph was among the Isleys inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
Q: What was the trademark dispute between Rudolph and Ronald Isley about?
A: In early 2023, Rudolph filed a lawsuit against his brother Ronald over rights to ‘The Isley Brothers’ trademark.
