Rudolph Isley Biography, Wife, Net Worth

Rudolph Isley, one of the founding members of the Isley Brothers, a legendary group that has been making music for over six decades – has died – read about his biography, wife and net worth.

The world has been shocked with this very sad news – Rudolph Isley of the Isley brothers is dead.

The Isley Brother passed away Wednesday, October 11th 2023 in Illinois, TMZ reported.

Rudolph Isley was a singer, songwriter, producer, and businessman who played a vital role in the success and longevity of the Isley brothers group. 

Whilst a very popular singer for decades in the United States, very little is known about Rudolph Isley wife, Elaine.

In this article, we will explore Ruldoph Isley biography, wife & net worth plus take a look at which Isley brothers died through the years.

Rudolph Isley Biography

rudolph isley biography

Rudolph Isley was born on April 1, 1939, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the third of six children born to O’Kelly Isley Sr. and Sallye Bernice Bell Isley.

He grew up in a musical family, as his father was a professional singer who performed with various gospel groups. 

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His mother was also a devout Christian who encouraged her children to sing in church.

Rudolph and his brothers O’Kelly Jr. and Ronald formed a vocal trio called the Isley Brothers in 1954, when they were still teenagers. 

The trio were influenced by various genres of music, such as gospel, doo-wop, rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and soul. 

They also admired singers such as Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Jackie Wilson, and James Brown.

Career

The Isley Brothers started their career by performing in local clubs and talent shows.

They also recorded their first single, “Angels Cried”, in 1957. 

However, they did not achieve much success until they moved to New York City in 1959 and signed with RCA Records.

The Isley brothers breakthrough came in 1962, when they released their version of “Twist and Shout”, a song originally recorded by the Top Notes. 

The song became a huge hit, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number one on the R&B chart. 

It also influenced other artists, such as the Beatles, who covered it on their debut album.

The Isley Brothers continued to record and perform throughout the 1960s, experimenting with different styles and labels. 

They also wrote and produced their own songs, such as “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)”, “It’s Your Thing”, “That Lady”, and “Fight the Power”. 

Rudolph Isley and his siblings also added their younger brothers Ernie and Marvin, as well as brother-in-law Chris Jasper, to their lineup.

In the 1970s, the Isley Brothers reached their peak of popularity and creativity, releasing several classic albums such as 3 + 3, The Heat Is On, Harvest for the World, Go for Your Guns, and Showdown. 

They also established their own label, T-Neck Records, which gave them more artistic freedom and control over their music.

The Isley Brothers faced some challenges in the 1980s, such as legal disputes, tax problems, health issues, and personal tragedies. 

Nevertheless, they also managed to adapt to the changing musical trends, incorporating elements of funk, disco, new wave, and hip hop into their sound. 

This enabled them to remain relevant and gain the opportunity to collaborate with other artists, such as Angela Winbush, R. Kelly, and Rod Stewart.

The Isley Brothers remained active in the 1990s and 2000s, releasing more albums and singles that showcased their versatility and longevity. 

They also received recognition and respect from the younger generation of musicians, who sampled, remixed, and paid tribute to their songs. 

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Some of these artists include Ice Cube, The Notorious B.I.G., 2Pac, Snoop Dogg, Aaliyah, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, and Kendrick Lamar.

Rudolph Isley, one of the group’s most prominent members, sadly died in October 2023.

Rudolph Isley cause of death is unclear but TMZ reports a source indicated he passed away from a heart attack.

He was 84. May he rest in peace.

Rudolph Isley is survived by his wife Elaine, four children, multiple grandchildren and two Isley brothers.

Rudolph Isley Wife

rudolph isley wife

Rudolph Isley wife is Elaine Jasper, whom he married in 1958.

By the time of his death in 2023, the couple had been married a whopping 6 decades and more!

Rudolph Isley and wife Elaine had four children.

Following their marriage, Rudolph Isley and and wife Elaine Jasper settled at a house he bought in Teaneck, New Jersey.

Rudolph Isley and his wife later moved to Otisville, New York, before moving to Olympia Fields near Chicago in 2013, buying R. Kelly’s former house to be near their children and grandchildren.

Rudolph Isley net worth

The biography of Rudolph Isley continues with a look at his net worth.

Rudolph Isley has been working in the music industry for over 60 years, and has accumulated a substantial net worth of around $2m, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

As his constant source of support by being his wife, Elaine Jasper has contributed her quota towards Rudolph Isley building up his net worth.

Aside from music, Isley has also been involved in several business ventures outside of music, such as real estate, restaurants, and hotels. 

He owned several properties in different states, such as New Jersey, New York, California, and Missouri. 

Isley also owns a chain of hotels called Mr. Rudy’s Hotels, which cater to travelers who appreciate quality service and hospitality.

Legacy and Awards

Rudolph Isley is a living legend who has contributed to the history and evolution of music. 

He is a pioneer of soul music who has influenced countless artists across genres and generations. 

He is also a member of one of the most successful and enduring groups in music history, the Isley Brothers, who have sold over 60 million records worldwide.

Rudolph Isley’s awards include the Grammy Award, the Soul Train Music Award, the BET Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award. 

He has also been inducted into several halls of fame, such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Which Isley Brothers died?

isley brothers died

Our Rudolph Isley biography article now takes a look at which Isley brothers have survived the years.

Of the seven members of the Isley brothers at various times, two are still alive currently – Ronald and Ernie Isley.

The below is culled from the Wikipedia article for the Isley brothers.

The Isley Brothers are an American family musical group originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, that began as a vocal trio consisting of brothers O’Kelly “Kelly” Isley Jr., Rudolph Isley and Ronald Isley in the late 1950s.

With a career spanning over six decades, the group has enjoyed one of the “longest, most influential, and most diverse careers in the pantheon of popular music”.

Together with a fourth brother, Vernon, the group performed gospel music until Vernon’s death a few years after its formation. 

After moving to New York City in the late 1950s, the group had their first successes during these early years, and rose to prominence in 1959 with their fourth single, “Shout”, written by the three brothers, which became their first single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, and sold over a million copies. 

In the 1960s, the group recorded songs for a variety of labels, including the top 20 single “Twist and Shout” and the Motown single “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)”, before recording and releasing the Grammy Award-winning hit “It’s Your Thing” on their own label, T-Neck Records.

The inclusion of younger brothers Ernie Isley (lead guitar, drums) and Marvin Isley (bass guitar), and Rudolph’s brother-in-law Chris Jasper (keyboards, synthesizers), in 1973 turned the original vocal trio into a complete band and led to the group’s reaching the height of their success. 

For the next full decade, they recorded a string of top-selling albums including 3 + 3, Between the Sheets, and The Heat Is On, with the latter peaking at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. 

The six-member band splintered in 1984, with Ernie, Marvin, and Chris Jasper forming the short-lived spinoff group Isley-Jasper-Isley. 

The oldest member, O’Kelly, died in 1986. 

Afterwards Rudolph and Ronald released a pair of albums as a duo before Rudolph retired to a life in the Christian ministry in 1989. 

After multiple lineup changes, the remaining duo of Ronald and Ernie achieved mainstream success with the albums Mission to Please (1996), Eternal (2001) and Body Kiss (2003). Eternal spawned the top 20 hit “Contagious”. 

As of 2023, the Isley Brothers continue to perform under the lineup of Ronald and Ernie.

The Isley Brothers have sold over 18 million units in the United States alone. 

With their first major hit charting in 1959 (“Shout”), and their last one in 2001 (“Contagious”), they are among the few groups ever to have hit the Billboard Hot 100 with new music in six different decades.

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