Music intro: By Gail Nobles
This Podcast features music created using Drum Pad Machine. Available on the App Store, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/drum-pad-machine-beat-maker/id1057968965.

Today's topic is the Isley Brothers. I'm Gail Nobles, and you’re listening to Eagle Harp. Celebrity and music news. I'm going to talk to you today about a family musical group originally from Cincinnati, Ohio that began as a vocal trio consisting of brothers O'Kelly Isley Junior, Rudolph Isley, and Ronald Isley.


Do you remember the Isley Brothers popular song Shout? For a long time I didn't know they were the same group that I heard in 1985 singing Caravan of Love. Shout was a popular song written and originally recorded by American vocal group the Isley Brothers. In 1959, the Isley Brothers had a different sound and style back then. Shout was the fourth single which became the first single to chart on the Billboard hot 100 and sold over 1 million copies.
In the 1960s, the group recorded songs for a variety of labels including the top 20 single Twist and Shout and Motown single This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You) before recording and releasing the Grammy Award winning hit Its Your Thing on their own label T Neck Records.

Today those records are still spinning. Radio Stations are still playing those songs.
And what about the Isley Brothers in the 1970s? Do you remember the Top 10 hit single "That Lady" and a UK Top 10 cover of "Summer Breeze?” What about hits like “Fight the Power” and “For the Love of You?”

Before music videos in the 80s, I only remembered hearing all those songs from radio, and I never knew what the Isley Brothers really looked like. When the 80s came along, I became interested in watching music videos and began to see more of the faces of music. But before seeing the Isley Brothers on video I first heard Caravan of Love from radio in 1985. It was a 1985 R&B hit originally recorded by Isley-Jasper-Isley. After breaking away from the family group, the group (notably Chris Jasper) wrote and produced this single intended to reach audiences by presenting Christian believes in his music. The song became the trios biggest hit going to number one on the billboard R&B singles chart and number 51 on the Billboard pop chart in 1985.

The Isley brothers has a long career in music. In 1985, the original Iskeys trio of O’Kelly, Rudy, and Ronnie signed with Warner Bros. Recirds and recorded and released the album masterpiece. Shortly a year after its release Kelly Isley died from a heart attack while battling cancer in March 1986. The remaining duo of Ron and Rudy release the Angela Winbush-produce albums Smooth Sailing in 1987 and Spend the Night in 1989.

And do you remember Ron Isley in the 1990s he recorded solo material he gained popularity as video villain Frank Biggs (or Mr. Biggs) in the music video for R. Kelly's hit "Down Low”.

There was a lot of past members of the Isley Brothers. Rudolph, O’Kelly, Vernon, Marvin, and Chris Jasper. The members now are Ronald and Ernie Isley.

Well I hope you have enjoyed today's topic. To find out more about the group and what they are doing today go to officialisleybrothers.com.