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Isley Brothers

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The Isley Brothers have enjoyed one of the longest, most influential, and most diverse careers in the pantheon of popular music. For over 50 years now, the Isley Brothers have participated in massive cultural shifts and in doing so, transformed their music from gritty R&B and soul to blistering funk.

The Isley Brothers head to the Big Apple. In 1957, the Isley Brothers went to New York City to record a string of doo wop singles; while including "Lonely Teardrops."

The Isleys meet Jimi. During a 1964 tour, they recruited a young guitarist named Jimmy James to play in their backing band; Sir James Marshall Hendrix (Jimi Hendrix). Check out "Testify" to hear Jimi play with the Isley Brothers. In 1965, the Isley Brothers had their first hit with "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)."

The Isley score one for the Motor City. When "This Old Heart of Mine" hit number three in the UK in 1967, the Isleys relocated to England to capitalize on their success.

The Isley Brothers next release, "It's Your Thing," hit #2 in 1969, and became their most successful record. That year, the Isleys also welcomed a number of new members as younger brothers Ernie and Marvin, brother-in-law Chris Jasper and family friend Everett Collins became the trio's new backing unit. The new Isley Brothers began incorporating more and more rock material into its repertoire as the and scored hits with covers of Stephen Stills' "Love the One You're With," Eric Burdon & War's "Spill the Wine" and Bob Dylan's "Lay Lady Lay."

In 1973, the Isley Brothers scored a massive hit with their rock- funk fusion cover of their own earlier single "Who's That Lady," retitled "That Lady (Part I);" the album 3 + 3 also proved highly successful, as did 1975's The Heat Is On, which spawned the smash "Fight the Power (Part I)." As the decade wore on, the group again altered its sound to fit into the booming disco market; while their success on pop radio ran dry, they frequently topped the R&B charts with singles like 1977's "The Pride," 1978's "Take Me to the Next Phase (Part 1)," 1979's "I Wanna Be With You (Part 1)," and 1980's "Don't Say Goodnight."

The Isley Brothers forged on in one form or another throughout the 1990s; in 1996, released the album Mission to Please. Ronald and Ernie hooked up several years later for Eternal (2001), a brand new selection of R&B cuts featuring collaborative efforts with Jill Scott, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, and Raphael Saadiq. On that particular release, Ronald also introduced the alter-ego Mr. Biggs.

In 1993, The Isley Brothers have been inducted into both the the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

The Isley Brothers released Baby Makin' Music in 2006, which included a collaboration with Jermaine Dupri.