Marvin Isley, 56, bassist for the Isley Brothers featured on such hits as “That Lady,” “Fight the Power,” “Choosey Lover” and “Between the Sheets” died June 6, 2010 at a hospice in Chicago from complications of diabetes. Marvin joined the Brothers in 1972 when they were already well established.
The original Isley Brothers trio, Ronald, Rudolph and O’Kelly Isley started as a Cincinnati gospel group in 1955, and their influence could be heard on such early hits as “Shout” (1959) and “Twist and Shout”(1962). They later recorded for Motown, briefly hired a young guitarist Jimi Hendrix (going by the stage name Jimmy James) for their road band in 1966 and, started their own record company, T-Neck Records.
In 1973, the trio added brothers Marvin on bass, Ernie on guitar and brother-in-law Chris Jasper on organ. As a sextet they recorded the album 3+3 which included the hit “That Lady.”
The 3+3 era Isley Brothers became one of the most sampled acts in hip-hop. Public Enemy’s “Fight The Power” (1989) borrowed not only samples but its title from the 1976 Isleys’ song. Lil’ Wayne snagged a piece of 1972’s “Lay Away” for his “Receipt” (2005).
In 1984, the three younger members left to form Isley/Jasper/Isley, a short-lived funk band. The original trio continued without them until Rudolph Isley’s death in 1986. Around the same time, O’Kelly Isley left the band to start a ministry. Eventually, Marvin and Ernie Isley rejoined although Marvin Isley retired from active performing in the 1990s when he was diagnosed with diabetes. The illness eventually forced doctors to amputate both his legs.
All six Isleys were inducted into the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
