Rudolph Isley, founding member of The Isley Brothers, dies aged 84

13 October 2023, 11:35

The Isley Brothers 60th anniversary tour trailer

Rudolph founded The Isley Brothers with O'Kelly and Ronald back in the 1950s.

Rudolph Isley, one of the founding members of The Isley Brothers, has died at the age of 84.

His lawyer Brian Caplan confirmed the news of his passing to Pitchfork yesterday (October 12) and shared a statement from Rudolph's daughter.

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"Rudolph Isley, a founding member of the world-famous Isley Brothers, died peacefully in his sleep on the morning of October 11, 2023," she said.

"He died at his home, with his devoted wife Elaine by his side. They had been married for 68 years. Rudolph was a deeply religious man who loved Jesus."

While a cause of death has not been confirmed, sources have told TMZ – which broke the news – that Rudolph died following a heart attack.

One of the all-time great vocal groups, The Isley Brothers formed in the 1950s by Rudolph with his real-life brothers O'Kelly and Ronald, alongside their brother Vernon.

One of the all-time great vocal groups, The Isley Brothers formed in the 1950s by Rudolph with his real-life brothers O'Kelly and Ronald, alongside their brother Vernon.

They briefly split after the tragic death of Vernon aged just 13, who was hit by a car, but soon reformed as a trio.

They later added younger real-life brothers Ernie and Marvin to the group as well as instrumentalist, songwriter and producer Chris Jasper.

The Isley Brothers "Shout"

Their hits over the years have included songs like 'Shout' – co-written by Rudolph – 'Twist & Shout', and 'It's Your Thing'.

"There are no words to express my feelings and the love I have for my brother,” Ronald told Variety.

O'Kelly Isley died in 1986, while Rudolph left the group in 1989 to become a Christian minister.

He briefly joined the group in 2004 when they were recognised with a Lifetime Achievement gong at the BET Awards.

In recent years, the core of the Isley Brothers touring lineup has consisted of founding members Ronald and Ernie – a multi-instrumentalist who was in the band from 1969 to 1984, and who returned for good in 1991.

Earlier this year it emerged that Rudolph had been in a legal battle with Ronald in a dispute over the ownership of "The Isley Brothers" name and the profits relating to ownership of the trademark.