Ronald Isley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ronald Isley
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Isley in 1996
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | Mr. Biggs |
| Born | May 21, 1941 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
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| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1954–present |
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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. Ronald Isley is also known by his nickname, Mr. Biggs.
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Ronald Isley was born in 1941 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was the third of six brothers. Like many of his family members, Ronald started singing in church at a very young age. He began singing when he was only two years old. He even won a $25 war bond (which would be about $429 today) for singing at a church music contest.
By the time he was seven, Ronald was already performing on big stages. He sang at places like the Regal Theater in Chicago. He even performed alongside famous singers like Dinah Washington.
Tragically, Ronald's youngest brother, Vernon, passed away at age 11. He was hit by a car while riding his bicycle.
Ronald Isley's Music Career
When Ronald was a teenager, he regularly sang with his brothers on church tours. They also appeared on TV on Ted Mack's Amateur Hour. In 1957, Ronald, then 16, moved to New York with his older brothers, O'Kelly and Rudy. They wanted to become professional musicians.
In New York, the brothers started recording a style of music called doo-wop. This was for smaller record companies. Soon, they signed a big deal with RCA Records in 1959. There, they wrote and released their first hit song, "Shout". The Isley family then moved to Englewood, New Jersey.
Ronald Isley has been the main lead singer of The Isley Brothers for a very long time. He sometimes shared lead vocals with his older brothers. In 1969, the Isley Brothers started their own record company called T-Neck Records. They wanted to make their own music without other companies telling them what to do. This happened after they briefly worked with Motown Records.
In 1973, the group's music style changed. Ronald's younger brothers, Ernie Isley and Marvin Isley, and their brother-in-law Chris Jasper joined the band full-time. These younger musicians had been helping the group with instruments since the late 1960s.
After his brother Kelly passed away in 1986, and Rudy left to become a minister in 1989, Ronald continued the Isley Brothers' legacy. 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' song "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)". In 2003, Ronald released a solo album called Here I Am: Bacharach Meets Isley. He worked with famous composer Burt Bacharach on this album.
Ronald Isley 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. His first solo album, Mr. I, came out in 2010. It was his first solo album to appear on the Billboard 200 chart.
In 2010, Ronald Isley received a "Legend Award" at the Soul Train Music Awards. He released his second solo album, This Song Is For You, in 2013. He was nominated for an Independent R&B/Soul Artist Performance award at the Soul Train Music Awards. In 2014, Ronald appeared in the music video for the song "i" by Kendrick Lamar.
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. His music has been on the charts from the 1950s ("Shout") all the way through the 2000s ("Contagious"). His appearances on charts have continued into eight different decades.
Ronald Isley was honored in 1992. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Isley Brothers.
Personal Life
Ronald Isley married Margret Tinsley in 1960. They had a daughter named Trenisha in 1969. They later divorced.
In 1993, he married singer Angela Winbush. They had a daughter named Tawanna during their marriage. They divorced in 2002.
In 2004, Ronald Isley 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 group JS/Johnson Sisters. Their son, Ronald Isley, Jr., was born in December 2006.
Ronald Isley used to live in St. Louis. He now lives in Los Angeles with his wife and son.
Images for kids
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Isley in 1996
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Isley and Winbush in 1996
