O’Kelly Isley Jr, also known as Kelly, was one of the founding members of the legendary R&B and soul group, the Isley Brothers. He was born on December 25, 1937, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and started singing with his brothers at church. He and his three younger brothers, Rudy, Ronnie, and Vernon, formed the Isley Brothers in the 1950s and toured the gospel circuit. After Vernon’s death in a road accident, the brothers switched to doo-wop and moved to New York to pursue a recording career.
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The Rise of the Isley Brothers
The Isley Brothers had their first major hit with “Shout” in 1959, which they co-wrote and recorded for RCA Records. The song sold over a million copies and became a classic of rock and roll. The brothers continued to record for various labels, such as Scepter and Motown, and had more hits with songs like “Twist & Shout” and “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)”. In 1969, they left Motown and started their own label, T-Neck Records, where they had more creative control and wrote most of their songs, including “It’s Your Thing”.
The Expansion of the Isley Brothers
In the 1970s, the Isley Brothers expanded their lineup to include their younger brothers, Ernie and Marvin, and their brother-in-law, Chris Jasper. They also incorporated elements of funk, rock, and disco into their music, and had more success with albums like 3 + 3, The Heat Is On, and Harvest for the World. Kelly and Rudy began to take some lead vocals on the group’s albums, and Kelly was known for his cowboy hat and western attire. The Isley Brothers also gave a young Jimi Hendrix his first steady gig when he joined their backing band in the early 1960s.
The Death of O’Kelly Isley Jr
In 1985, the Isley Brothers released their last album as a six-piece group, Masterpiece. Kelly had lost a lot of weight, which was noticeable on the album cover. On March 31, 1986, Kelly suddenly died of a heart attack at the age of 48 at his home in Alpine, New Jersey. He left behind two sons, Frank and Doug. His death was a shock to his family and fans, and marked the end of an era for the Isley Brothers. His brother Rudy also left the group to work in the ministry, while the remaining members continued to perform and record as a trio.
O’Kelly Isley Jr was buried at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, New Jersey. He is remembered as a pioneer of R&B and soul music, and a part of one of the most influential and enduring groups in the history of American music.
