The Isley Brothers

The Isley Brothers are an American musical group formed in Cincinnati, Ohio, whose career has spanned several decades and multiple eras of popular music. Originally a vocal group of brothers who began singing gospel before turning to secular music, they relocated to the New York area and built their reputation through energetic live performances and a string of singles that helped define the sound of R&B. Their breakthrough came with «Shout», a call-and-response anthem that became a foundational record for soul music despite modest initial chart success.

Over the years the group moved fluidly between labels and styles, recording the widely covered «Twist and Shout» and working with Motown on «This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)». They eventually established their own label, T-Neck Records, which gave them creative independence and led to some of their most celebrated work, including the Grammy-winning «It’s Your Thing». Later incarnations of the group incorporated rock-influenced guitar work and funk grooves, broadening their sound even further.

The Isley Brothers are regarded as one of the most durable and adaptable acts in popular music, moving credibly through doo-wop, soul, funk, and quiet-storm R&B while influencing generations of artists. Songs like «Summer Breeze», «Footsteps In the Dark», and «Between the Sheets» became touchstones later sampled extensively in hip-hop, extending their reach into new audiences.