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

Rudolph Isley, a founding member of The Isley Brothers, kicked the bucket Wednesday morning at the age of 84.

The Isley Brothers showed the news on their social media accounts. “Heaven has gained another angel. Our hearts are heavy as we announce the passing of our beloved brother, Rudolph Isley.”

Rudolph’s brother and bandmate Ronald shared his emotions concerning the loss in a observation to ABC News, pronouncing, “There are no words to express my feelings and the love I have for my brother. Our family will miss him. But I know he’s in a better place.”

Rudolph based The Isley Brothers within the ’50s with brothers O’Kelly, Ronald and Vernon, even if Vernon kicked the bucket a couple of years after their formation. The staff had their first hit in 1959 with “Shout,” which was once inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.

Other songs made well-known via The Isley Brothers come with “Twist and Shout” and “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak For You)” along side “It’s Your Thing,” which earned them a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance via a Duo or Group.

Rudolph, who was once identified for dressed in hats and fur-attired clothes, retired from the gang in 1989. He and his brothers have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.

Earlier this yr, Rudolph filed a lawsuit towards Ronald over the trademark rights to the gang’s identify, claiming that regardless of the identify being collectively owned via each of them, Ronald on my own filed for a federal trademark of the identify in 2021, and it was once authorized via the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

He sought to have a pass judgement on claim that the trademark rights to the identify have been similarly and collectively owned via each brothers, and he sought after any earnings Ronald constructed from exploiting the trademark to be divided.

Rudolph Isley was once born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1939. He is survived via his spouse Elaine.