Ronald Isley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ronald Isley
|
|
|---|---|
Isley in 1996
|
|
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Mr. Biggs |
| Born | May 21, 1941 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1954–present |
| Labels |
|
Ronald Isley (born May 21, 1941) is an American singer, songwriter, and music producer. He is best known as the lead singer and a founding member of the famous family music group, The Isley Brothers. He is the last original member still with the group.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Ronald Isley was born in 1941 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was the third of six brothers. Like many of his siblings, Ronald started singing in church at a very young age. He began performing at just two years old. He even won a $25 war bond for singing in a spiritual music contest.
By age seven, Ronald was already singing on big stages. He performed at places like the Regal Theater in Chicago. He shared the stage with famous singers like Dinah Washington. The youngest of the original Isley Brothers, Vernon, sadly passed away at age 11. He was hit by a car while riding his bicycle.
Ronald Isley's Music Career
As a teenager, Ronald sang regularly with his brothers on church tours. They even appeared on TV on Ted Mack's Amateur Hour. In 1957, Ronald, then 16, and his older brothers O'Kelly and Rudy moved to New York. They wanted to start a music career.
In New York, the brothers first recorded doo-wop songs for small labels. In 1959, they signed a big deal with RCA Records. There, they wrote and released their first hit song, "Shout". By the summer of 1959, the Isley family had moved to Englewood, New Jersey.
The Isley Brothers' Journey
Ronald has been the longest-standing member of The Isley Brothers. He has also been the main lead singer. In 1969, he and his brothers restarted their own record label, T-Neck Records. They wanted to produce their music without outside control. This happened after they briefly worked with Motown Records.
In 1973, the group's music style changed. This was after they released the album 3 + 3. Ronald's younger brothers, Ernie Isley and Marvin Isley, joined the group full-time. Their brother-in-law, Chris Jasper, also joined. These younger members had been helping with instruments since the late 1960s.
Solo Work and Collaborations
After O'Kelly Isley passed away in 1986 and Rudy Isley left the group in 1989, Ronald continued with the Isley Brothers name. He performed as a solo artist or with help from his younger brothers, especially Ernie. In 1990, Ronald had a top-ten duet with Rod Stewart. They covered the Isley Brothers' hit song "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)".
In 2003, Ronald recorded a solo album called Here I Am: Bacharach Meets Isley. He worked with the famous composer Burt Bacharach. Ronald also became a popular singer for the "hook" (the catchy part) of songs for other artists. These included R. Kelly, Warren G, 2Pac, and UGK.
Ronald released his first solo album, Mr. I, on November 30, 2010. The album included the song "No More". It was his first solo album to appear on the Billboard 200 chart. In 2013, Ronald released his second solo album, This Song Is For You.
Awards and Recognition
In 2010, Ronald Isley received a "Legend Award" at the Soul Train Music Awards. He was also nominated for an Independent R&B/Soul Artist Performance award at the Soul Train Music Awards in 2013. In 2014, Ronald appeared in the music video for the Kendrick Lamar song "i".
Ronald Isley's songs have appeared on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 charts for many decades. This includes his work with the Isley Brothers and other artists. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 as a member of the Isley Brothers.
Ronald Isley's Personal Life
Ronald Isley married Margaret Tinsley in 1960. Their daughter, Tia Isley, was born in 1969. In 1993, he married singer Angela Winbush. They later divorced in 2002.
In 2004, Ronald had a mild stroke in London. This caused an Isley Brothers tour to stop. In September 2005, he married Kandy Johnson. She was a background singer from the duo JS/Johnson Sisters. Their son, Ronald Isley, Jr., was born in December 2006. Ronald Isley now lives in Los Angeles with his wife and son.
Academic Achievements
- He received an honorary doctorate of music from the Berklee College of Music on May 7, 2016.
Images for kids
-
Ronald Isley and Angela Winbush in 1996
See also
In Spanish: Ronald Isley para niños
