The Legendary Isley Brothers: How Many Members Are Still Alive Today?

The Isley Brothers, a group whose musical legacy spans an incredible seven decades, has undergone numerous transformations, line-up changes, and heartbreaking losses. As of December 12, 2025, the definitive answer to "how many Isley Brothers are still alive" is two of the six brothers who were part of the group's history, with a significant recent loss changing the configuration of the iconic band. The group’s history, from their gospel roots to their funk-rock fusion, is a powerful story of family, resilience, and musical genius.

The core of the group was always the Isley family, but the line-up that defined their sound in the 1970s and beyond, often referred to as the "Six-Man" line-up, included three original brothers, two younger brothers, and a brother-in-law. The passing of founding member Rudolph Isley in 2023 and the recent, significant loss of key creative force Chris Jasper in early 2025 have brought renewed attention to the remaining members who continue to carry the torch.

The Complete Isley Brothers: A Family Biography and Lineage

The Isley Brothers began in the early 1950s in Cincinnati, Ohio, as a gospel-singing quartet before transitioning to R&B and rock. The group’s history is marked by six brothers who were members at various times, along with their key collaborator and brother-in-law, Chris Jasper. Understanding their lineage is essential to answering the question of who remains.

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• Vernon Isley (Brother):
  • Role: Original member (vocals).
  • Born: May 30, 1942
  • Died: 1956 (Age 13) in a bicycling accident. His tragic and early death inspired the remaining brothers to continue the group.
• O’Kelly Isley Jr. (Brother):
  • Role: Founding member (vocals, tenor).
  • Born: December 25, 1937
  • Died: March 31, 1986 (Age 48) from a heart attack. He was a foundational voice in the group's early and middle periods.
• Rudolph Isley (Brother):
  • Role: Founding member (vocals, baritone).
  • Born: April 1, 1939
  • Died: October 11, 2023 (Age 84). His passing was a major loss to the soul music community and the family.
• Ronald Isley (Brother):
  • Role: Founding and current member (lead vocals, 'Mr. Biggs').
  • Born: May 29, 1941
  • Current Status: Still Alive. He remains the iconic voice of the group.
• Ernie Isley (Brother):
  • Role: Current member (guitar, drums, vocals).
  • Born: March 7, 1952
  • Current Status: Still Alive. The legendary lead guitarist of the "3+3" era.
• Marvin Isley (Brother):
  • Role: Member (bass guitar).
  • Born: August 18, 1953
  • Died: June 6, 2010 (Age 56) due to complications from diabetes. He was a key part of the group's funk sound.
• Chris Jasper (Brother-in-Law/Core Member):
  • Role: Core member (keyboards, synthesizers, songwriter).
  • Born: December 30, 1951
  • Died: February 23, 2025 (Age 73) after a battle with cancer. His innovative keyboard work was the "musical heartbeat" of the group's most celebrated era.

The Two Remaining Brothers Carrying the Legacy

Based on the history of the six Isley Brothers, only two are still alive and actively performing under The Isley Brothers name: Ronald Isley and Ernie Isley. Their continued collaboration is a testament to the group's enduring spirit, ensuring that the discography of hits from "Shout" to "Contagious" remains alive on stage.

1. Ronald Isley (Mr. Biggs)

Ronald Isley is arguably the most recognizable voice of the group. As a founding member, his incredible vocal range and smooth delivery have defined the Isley Brothers' sound across multiple genres.

• Age and Current Status: Ronald Isley is still alive and performing. He continues to tour and record, often collaborating with contemporary artists, which has helped keep the Isley Brothers relevant to new generations.
• Key Role: The consistent lead vocalist. His alter-ego, "Mr. Biggs," became a cultural icon in the early 2000s, demonstrating his versatility and longevity in the music business.
• Recent Activity: The duo of Ronald and Ernie Isley continues to perform the group's classic hits, showcasing their remarkable endurance in the industry.

2. Ernie Isley

Ernie Isley is the legendary guitarist whose distinctive, Jimi Hendrix-influenced style ushered in the group's psychedelic soul and funk-rock era, often called the "3+3" era (when the three older brothers were joined by the three younger members: Ernie, Marvin, and Chris Jasper).

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• Age and Current Status: Ernie Isley is still alive and remains the group's dynamic instrumentalist.
• Key Role: His explosive guitar solos on tracks like "That Lady" and "Summer Breeze" are foundational to the group's identity during their most commercially successful period.
• Influence: Ernie's guitar work is considered some of the most influential in funk and rock, bridging the gap between soul music and harder rock sounds.

The Passing of Key Members: Rudolph Isley and Chris Jasper

The group has faced profound loss throughout its history, but the deaths of Rudolph Isley and Chris Jasper in quick succession represent the end of an era for the group's classic line-up. These recent events solidify the current configuration of the performing duo.

Rudolph Isley: The Baritone Voice of a Generation

Rudolph Isley, one of the three original founding brothers, passed away in October 2023 at the age of 84. His baritone voice was integral to hits like "Shout" and "Twist and Shout."

• Significance: Rudolph, along with O'Kelly and Ronald, formed the trio that created the Isley Brothers' first wave of success. His death marked the end of the original vocal trio.
• Post-Group Life: Rudolph retired from the music business in 1989 to pursue a life in Christian ministry, but his contributions to the group’s foundational sound are undeniable.

Chris Jasper: The Architect of the Funk-Rock Sound

Chris Jasper, the group's keyboardist, songwriter, and producer, passed away in February 2025. While not an Isley brother by birth, his musical contributions were so vital that he is often considered a core member.

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• Creative Genius: Jasper was the primary songwriter and arranger for the group’s most iconic and innovative hits during the 1970s and 80s, including "Between the Sheets," "Caravan of Love," and "The Pride."
• The Isley-Jasper-Isley Era: After the original trio dissolved, Chris Jasper formed the spin-off group Isley-Jasper-Isley with Ernie and Marvin, producing the massive hit "Caravan of Love." His passing is a major loss to the group's creative lineage.

The Enduring Topical Authority of The Isley Brothers

The Isley Brothers' musical journey offers a powerful lesson in longevity and adaptation. Their ability to evolve from doo-wop and gospel to soul, funk, and R&B has made them one of the most sampled and influential groups in music history.

The group's timeline includes several distinct eras, each marked by the brothers' changing line-up:

• The Vocal Trio (1950s–1960s): The initial phase with O'Kelly, Rudolph, and Ronald, producing early hits like "Shout."
• The Jimi Hendrix Connection: A brief but crucial period where a young Jimi Hendrix played in their backing band, influencing their future sound.
• The "3+3" Era (1970s): The most innovative period, featuring the six-man line-up (O'Kelly, Rudolph, Ronald, Ernie, Marvin, and Chris Jasper), which resulted in the classic albums 3+3 and The Heat Is On.
• The Modern Era: The current configuration of Ronald and Ernie Isley, who continue to record and tour, ensuring the Isley Brothers' name remains active in the 21st century.

Despite the recent losses of Rudolph Isley and Chris Jasper, the music and the powerful stage presence of Ronald and Ernie Isley ensure that the legendary sound of The Isley Brothers will continue to resonate with fans for years to come. Their story is a powerful narrative of a family whose collective talent shaped the landscape of modern popular music.