The Isley Brothers

The six sons of Sally and O'Kelly Isley became one of the greatest soul and funk bands of the 60s and 70s, with many classic tracks to their name including "Shout!", "Twist and Shout!", "It's Your Thing", "That Lady" and "Summer Breeze".

Originally a foursome performing gospel, tragedy struck when young Vernon Isley was hit by a car and killed at the age of 13. The remaining trio resumed singing the following year and had their first hit with the classic 1959 single "Shout!". Although it only reached No.47, its longevity eventually led to gold certification. It has also been famously covered by artists such as The Beatles and Lulu. The brothers' next success was the Top 20 "Twist And Shout!" in 1962. In 1965 they signed to Motown and had a handful of modest hits, but they became dissatisfied with the label prioritising all-male bands The Four Tops and The Temptations ahead of them. After leaving Motown, the brothers recorded the influential funk anthem "It's Your Thing", which won them a Grammy, topped the R&B chart and was second on the pop chart. With the two younger brothers becoming more involved in the group, as well as brother-in-law Chris Jasper, they enjoyed a succession of hits, including "I Turned You On", "Love the One You're With" and "Pop That Thang".

With the addition of songwriter/musicians Marvin and Ernie Isley, and Chris Jasper, the Isley Brothers became a self-contained group that wrote their own songs and played their own music. With the new members now officially welcomed into the band, their following album announced the new six-piece line-up: 3+3 (1973). It was a hugely successful mix of funk and rock, and featured two of the band's most well-loved songs, "That Lady" and "Summer Breeze". The Heat Is On (1975) topped the pop album charts, and the band continued to enjoy hits with funk, quiet storm and disco-flavoured tracks, including "Harvest for the World", "The Pride, Pt. 1 & 2" and "Don't Say Goodnight (It's Time for Love)".

In 1984, the six-member group split into two. Ernie, Marvin, and Chris formed Isley-Jasper-Isley and continued to write, produce and perform their own music, releasing three albums as a trio, "Broadway's Closer to Sunset Boulevard," and "Different Drummer," garnering a huge international hit with "Caravan of Love." The three older members, O'Kelly, Ronald and Rudolph continued to perform as the Isley Brothers using outside writers and producers.

In 1987, Isley-Jasper-Isley split up. Ernie Isley and Chris Jasper embarked on their own solo careers.

Eventually, Ernie and Marvin returned to perform as the "Isley Brothers" following the death of O'Kelly Isley and the retirement of Rudolph Isley. When Marvin fell ill, Ernie Isley continued to perform with Ronald as the Isley Brothers. They made a comeback in the new millennium when their 2001 song "Contagious" broke into the US Top 20. The accompanying album Eternal (2001) sold over two million copies, and Body Kiss (2003) topped the album charts. Their latest album, Baby Makin' Music (2006), reached No.5, earning the Isley Brothers a record for chart longevity, with nearly 50 years between their first and latest chart hits - more than any other group.

Ernie and Ronald split up after Ronald was sentenced to jail time for tax evasion. Upon Ronald's recent release, he continues to perform under the name the Isley Brothers. Ernie Isley has gone on to perform as a solo guitar act.