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Rudolph Isley, a founding member of the influential family music group The Isley Brothers, has died at 84.
As a longtime member of the group, Rudolph lent backup vocals to iconic songs like “Shout,” “It’s Your Thing” and “This Old Heart of Mine.”
The news was first reported by TMZ. A cause of death was not given, though one source told the outlet he suffered a heart attack.
Born April 1, 1939 in Cincinnati, Rudolph began singing at church at a young age and as a teen joined his siblings to form The Isley Brothers. The brothers moved to New York in 1957 and secured a deal with RCA Records in 1959.
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The Isley Brothers wrote and recorded one of their biggest hits, “Shout.” Known for its energetic call-and-response lyrics, it has remained a classic song for decades and is still a staple at parties and weddings. Multiple artists have covered “Shout,” and it was also immortalized in the comedy film Animal House.
It kicked off a musical career that spanned decades and genres. Classic Isley Brothers tunes include their cover of “Twist and Shout,” the motown classic “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You),” and the Grammy-winning funk song “It’s Your Thing.”
Rudolph Isley rarely sang lead vocals, but contributed to the act’s success with songwriting and backup vocals. The group had 13 gold- and platinum-selling albums throughout their career.
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In 1989, Rudolph decided to retire from the band to become a Christian minister, although he would occasionally reunite with his brothers, including their 1992 induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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