R.I.P. - Rudolph Isley (1 Apr 1939 - 11 Oct 2023)

One of the founding members, and the second eldest of the six Isley Brothers, Rudolph (Rudy) died on 11 Oct aged 84. Brother Ernie stated that he died in his sleep. That leaves only Ron Isley from the original four brothers who started the group in 1954 as the other two original members, Vernon (1957) and O'Kelly (1986), are both deceased. Younger brother Marvin, who joined the group later, also died in 2010 leaving just Ron and Ernie as surviving members. 

You may have read very recently that Rudolph was suing Ron over a dispute involving Ron attempting to trademark The Isley Brothers name. A very sad and unresolved ending. Although the family claims that he had no health issues, it makes you wonder why he would start a legal dispute aged 84 unless he was trying to provide financial support for his family, but that's just pure speculation on our part.

We did a feature on Ronald Isley / Isley Brothers on Ronald Isley's 82nd birthday on 22 May, so we won't repeat what was written there and refer you to it.

Rudolph married Chris Jasper's sister, Elaine, in 1958. After leaving Motown, The Isley's reactivated their T-Neck label, named after Teaneck, NJ, where they set it up before Motown. Younger brothers Ernie and Marvin joined the fold along with Chris Jasper. 

In 1969 Rudi recorded a duet with Judy White as Rudi & Judy on T-Neck. The A side "I've Got To Get Myself Together" is a deep soul ballad which the group also recorded for their "The Brothers: Isley" LP in 1969. The flip "Baby You Got It" sounds quite dated even for 1969 as it sounds more like a early/mid 60s recording. It appears to be White's last recording, she recorded on three singles for T-Neck after one on Epic in 1967 followed by four on Buddah 1967-68. Her first two singles were as part of a duo, Bongi & Judy. Bongi being daughter of South African singer Miriam Makeba. It would seem that this is Rudi's only recording outside of The Isley's.

Whilst Ron was the main lead singer, Rudy did record a few lead vocals including shared lead with Ron on their big disco hit "It's A Disco Night (Rock Don't Stop)". Rudi was closest to O'Kelly, and his death in 1986 was perhaps a pivotal point in his decision to leave the group which he did in 1989. He had always wanted to join the ministry and he continued to sing gospel music. In 1996 he recorded a gospel album "Shouting for Jesus: A Loud Joyful Noise".

For the birthday tribute for Ron we focussed solely on the Isley's Motown material. For Rudy's we'll select tracks from their post Motown period from 1969 up to his last album with the group, "Spend The Night" (1989).

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved