BIOGRAPHY
The Isley Brothers formed in Cincinnati in 1954 as a vocal trio of brothers O'Kelly, Rudolph and Ronald Isley, following gospel performances with a fourth brother, Vernon, who died that year. After relocating to New York, the group broke through in 1959 with "Shout," a million-selling single that launched their run on the pop charts. Through the 1960s they moved between labels, notching hits like "Twist and Shout" and the Motown single "This Old Heart of Mine," then founded their own T-Neck Records for the Grammy-winning "It's Your Thing" (1969); a young Jimmy James, later known as Jimi Hendrix, briefly played guitar in their backing band. In 1973 younger brothers Ernie and Marvin, plus brother-in-law Chris Jasper, joined, powering a decade of hit albums including 3 + 3 and the chart-topping The Heat Is On.