Rudolph Isley, a founding member of the legendary soul and funk group The Isley Brothers, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 84. His brother and fellow bandmate Ronald Isley confirmed the news in a heartfelt statement, saying he was "in a better place."
The cause of Rudolph's death was not disclosed, but TMZ reported that it might have been a heart attack, according to a source close to the family.
Rudolph, along with his brothers Ronald and O'Kelly, began their musical journey in Cincinnati, where they sang in church as teenagers. They moved to New York in the late 1950s and scored their first hit with "Shout" in 1959, which became a rock and roll anthem. They followed that up with classics like "Twist and Shout" and "This Old Heart of Mine."
The Isley Brothers expanded their lineup and their sound in the 1970s, adding their younger brothers Ernie and Marvin and their brother-in-law Chris Jasper. They embraced funk and social commentary, producing hits like "It's Your Thing," "That Lady" and "Fight the Power." They also achieved their first number-one album with The Heat Is On in 1975.
Rudolph retired from the group in 1989 to pursue a career as a Christian minister, but he occasionally reunited with his brothers for special occasions. The Isley Brothers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, cementing their legacy as one of the most influential and enduring groups in music history.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]