THE GREATEST SOUL SINGER OF ALL TIME....RONALD ISLEY

In this Series of Posts, I will writing about the Artist's who are in My "Greatest Ever Soul Singer of All-Time" Poll. 

The Poll is over to the Right of the Blog, it has been Running for a Few Month's now, so if You haven't already Voted, Please do so!

In these Post's, I will write a few Facts, Figures, Stats and Interesting Stuff on the Artist in Question, I will also include a Playlist of their 20 Greatest Songs.

I will Write a Post on each Artist in Order of "Top to Bottom" of the Poll!

ARTIST NUMBER 9..............RONALD ISLEY

Ronald Isley was Born on May 21st 1941 in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, he was the 3rd of 6 Brothers Born to Sallye and O'Kelly Isley Sr.

By the Age of 3 Ronald Isley was Singing in his Local Church, with his Older Brothers, and by the Age of 7 he was Singing on Stage with Dinah Washington.

In 1957, Ronald (at 16 Years Old) and his 2 Elder Brothers (Kelly and Rudy)  Formed "The Isley Brothers" and Moved to New York to Sing Doo-Wop for Local Record Labels, they Released a few Singles, without any Chart Success.

Then in the Summer of '59 The Isley Brothers Wrote and Released their First Hit Record, it was Named "Shout" it was around this Period that All The Isley Family Moved to New Jersey.

During the 1960's The Isleys Recorded several Cover Versions of other Artists Songs, around 1964 the Record Label "T-Neck" was First formed by The Isley Brothers.

By the late 60's the Isleys were on the Tamla Motown Record Label, they had some Notable Success, with "This Old Heart Of Mine" this Track Reached Number 11 on the US Top 100 and Number 6 in the US R&B Chart, it also Charted in the UK at Number 3.

In 1969, The Isleys Released the Single "Its Your Thing" and this Turned out to be their Big Breakthrough on the US Pop Chart, it Reached Number 2, and Number 1 on the US R&B Chart, it also Charted in Uk at Number 30.

During the Early 1970's The Isley's had further Chart Success, and then in 1973 Epic Records started to Distribute the Isley Record's through their Own Record Label "T-Neck Records" 

They had Formed the "T-Neck" to have more Control of their Music and Produce Themselves.

With the Move (of Record Dists)  they also Changed their Style and Added 3 Younger Members to the Band (2 More Brothers and a Cousin, Chris Jasper), they Released their Next Album, which Turned out to be One of their Best Ever "3+3"  

This Album Started a Run of either Gold or Platinum Status Albums for Nearly the Next 10 Years.

During His Career, Ronald Isley has Suffered some Highs and Lows,  He has had Heart and Kidney Problems, He was Imprisoned for Tax Evasion in 2006 and released in 2010, He has been Married Twice, First to Angela Winbush in 1993 and Divorced in 2002, and then to a Backing Singer Kandy Johnson in 2005, but this caused a Storm as He was 35 years Older then her!

Ronald Isley is a Singer, Songwriter, Composer and Producer and he Play's the Piano and Keyboards.

THE ISLEY BROTHERS DISCOGRAPHY

 Studio Albums.................31

Live Albums....................3

Compilations...................15

  Singles.............................111 

My Favorite Isley Brothers Albums and the Best Tracks on the Album's are as Follows:

1973  3+3....What It Comes Down To &Highways Of My Life

!975  The Heat Is On.... For The Love Of You

1976  Harvest For The World....Same & You Are Love

1977  Go For Your Guns....Footsteps & Voyage To Atlantis

1981  Inside You....Inside You

1982  Real Deal....Stone Cold Lover

1983  Between the Sheets....Same & Choosey Lover

1985  Masterpiece....Colder Are my Nights

THE ISLEY BROTHERS GREATEST SONGS

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THE ISLEY BROTHERS 3+3.... Part 9 (and final)

In 2001, The Isley Brothers Released their 28th Studio Album "Eternal" it was 5 Years since the Last Album and the First Isley Album in over 10 Years as a Duo with Ernie joining Main-stay Ronald, Marvin had left the  Previous  Year with Diabettes (later Marvin was to lose Both of his Legs through this Illness and later Die).

The 14 Track Album was on "Dreamworks Records" (which was Part Owned by Steven Spielberg), and aimed at a Younger Audience, with "R Kelly" Writing and Producing, in fact R Kelly wrote the song "Contagious" for this Album, which turned out to be The Isleys Biggest Selling Single in nearly 20 Years!

Other Producers on the Album were Ronald Isley, Jill Scott, Jam and Lewis, Raphael Saadiq and Angela Wimbush (she had a much smaller part on the Album and by the following year, her and Ronald Isley were Divorced)

The Platinum Selling Album reached the following Chart Positions in US Pop Number 3 and US R&B Number 1.

Single Wise, there was 2 Releases "Contagious" and "Secert Lover" Contagious got to Number 3 in US R&B Charts!

A Couple of other Points concerning this Album,  A Great Cover Version of the "Chicago" Hit "If You Leave Me Now" and the Backing Singers "JS" (The Johnson Sisters) about 4 Years later "Ronald Isley" would Marry one of the Sisters!

By Early 2002, Ronald had Divorced Angela Wimbush after nearly 10 Years of Marriage! so she would not Feature on the forth-coming 12 Track Album "Body Kiss" in 2003.

The Isleys were still a Duo, but Nearly all Writing, Arranging and Production was Handed over to "R Kelly"and the Result was, The Isleys had their Biggest Album for Nearly 30 Years, it was Number One in US Pop and R&B Charts!

The Album was again on "Dreamworks" but as it turned out this would be the Last Album with them, and it Attained Gold Status!

Surprisingly the 2 Single Releases (What Would You Do and Busted), only got minor Chart Placings!

2 Tracks Featured other Notable Artists including "Busted" which Featured "JS" and "I Like" which Featured "Snoop Dogg"

During 2004, Ronald Isley was on Tour in the UK,When he Suffered a Mild Stroke, which led to the Tour being Cancelled!

In September 2005, Ronald Isley Shocked most People by Marrying one of His Backing Singers, Kandy Johnson, she was  half of the Duo "JS"  She was 28 Years of Age and Ronald by now was 63!

By 2006, The Last Isley Brothers Album to Date, was Released (unless you count His Solo Album which was Released in November of this Year), It was Entitled "Baby Makin' Music" on on the Def Soul Record Label.

After the Success of the "R Kelly" influenced Previous Album, many People were Surprised to see his only involvement on this Album, was a Duet on the Track "Blast Off"

The 11 Track Album, had Multi Producers and Charted High in US Pop (5) and US R&B Charts (1).

It contained 1 Single Release "Just Came Here To Chill" which only faired modestly in Charts.

Much of the Album was Dedicated by Ronald Isley to his new Wife!

As for other Albums Released by The Isley Brothers During the 2000's, there were Several Compilations and in 2007 there was a Christmas Release "I'll Be Home For Christmas"

As you are Probably aware Ronald Isley was Charged and Convicted of Tax Evasion about 3 Years ago, this Charge related to the Period from 1976 to 1996, He was Sentenced to Prison for 37 Months to which he served and was Finally Released on April 13th this Year.

Since His Release has he been Busy Recording His First Solo Album, which has now been Released, its called "MR I"

He was also Honoured at The Soul Train Awards 

Download some ISLEY BROTHERS
"ETERNAL"
"BODY KISS"
"BABY MAKIN' MUSIC"

Photo edit by my Grandaughter--Jessica

THE ISLEY BROTHERS 3+3.... Part 8

2 Years had passed since the Last Album Release "Spend The Night" in 1989, The First Isley Brothers Release of the 90's in 1991, was entitled "Tracks Of Life" it Featured Ronald with Younger Brothers Ernie and Marvin, this was First Album in nearly a Decade to  include the Younger Isley's.

It also turned out to be the Last Studio Album on Warner Brothers Records and the Last Studio Album for about 5 Years, the Album included 14 Tracks (a big change from previous Releases which normally had no more than 7/8 Tracks) it was also again Produced by Ron Isley along with Girlfriend "Angela Wimbush"

It reached Number 140 in US Pop Chart and Number 19 in US R&B Chart.

It contained 2 Single Releases with US R&B Positions in brackets:

"Whatever Turns You On" (46)

"Sensitive Lover" (24)

For the next few years, Ron Isley/ Isley Brothers were very Quiet Musical Wise, in 1993 2 things happened though, firstly Warners Released a "Isleys Live Album" which included 11 Hits and a 4/5 Song Medley, this was Produced by R.I and Angela Wimbush, and the Second thing to happen in '93 was, Ron Isley Married Angela Wimbush!

1996 marked a Comeback for The Isley Brothers Featuring Ronald Isley, after no Studio Albums for 5 years, (but plenty of work Guesting on others Artists Albums) the Album "Mission to Please" was Released, it contained All Ballads (10) and  was the the one and only Album to be Released on Island Records!

It was a return to Commercial Success, with the Album attaining "Platinum" Status, their first Album in 13 years to Achieve this, it also Reached 31 in US Pop Chart and Number 2 in US R&B Chart. 

In the previous few years Ron Isley had featured on a few Tracks with R Kelly etc  this had brought The Isleys to the attention of a Younger Audience, so when this Album was made a lot of Younger Musicians amd Singers were Featured, Babyface, Keith Sweat, R Kelly etc , alongside Marvin and Ermie Isley, and of course "New Wife" Angela Wimbush!

Another thing Ron Isley had introduced in several R Kelly Single Releases was a Video Villain by the name of "Mr Biggs" this had started in the Single "Down Low" and this Character has continued for the rest of his Ron Isley's  recording career!

The Album contained several Great Ballads, including US Pop and US R&B Positions in brackets):

"Lets Lay Together" a collaboration with R Kelly (93 and 24) 

"Tears" written by "BabyFace" (55 and 12)

"Floating on Your Love" a Duet Angela Wimbush (47 and 14)

Download the Albums:

"Tracks of Life"

"Live"

"Mission To Please"

"Selection of Isley Brothers Music"

THE 46th MIX FOR F.S.V.B

 Here's the 46th Mix for F.S.V.B, Its been Mixed by DJ Smooth Denali, there's some classic  Soul/Jazz Music Tracks on here, Its called R&B Classics Part 2 (The Coolout)!


Its features Artistes including some  Isley Brothers Roy Ayers, Al Green, Ronnie Laws, Bobby Caldwell & Donald Byrd!
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