Birth name Ernest Isley Years active 1969–present | Name Ernie Isley | |
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Occupation(s) Songwriter, Drummer, bassist, guitarist, percussionist, vocalist Instruments Guitar, Drums, Bass guitar Role Musical Artist · facebook.com/pages/Ernie-Isley/218808131486757 Siblings Ronald Isley, Marvin Isley Similar People Ronald Isley, Marvin Isley, O'Kelly Isley - Jr, Rudolph Isley, Chris Jasper | ||
Ernie isley talks twist and shout jimi hendrix and coming home to the apollo
Ernest "Ernie" Isley (born March 7, 1952) is a member of the American musical ensemble The Isley Brothers.
Contents
- Ernie isley talks twist and shout jimi hendrix and coming home to the apollo
- Ernie Isley Whos That Lady
- Biography
- Academic title
- References
Ernie Isley Who's That Lady
Biography
Ernie was born in Cincinnati, where his older brothers formed The Isley Brothers, first as a gospel group, then as a secular singing group. In 1960 his family moved to Englewood/Teaneck, New Jersey. He resides in St. Louis, Missouri.
Jimi Hendrix lived in the Isley home and played guitar for The Isley Brothers for two years, 1963-65. Ernie started playing drums at 12. His first live gig as a member of his brothers' band was as a drummer in 1966 at the age of 14. Ernie was influenced by Jimi Hendrix style of guitar playing and José Feliciano's version of "Light My Fire" and in 1968 got his first guitar. He is a self-taught musician and watched Jimi playing hid electric guitar in the backroom of the Isley home. In 1968 he did his first professional recording, playing bass on the Isleys' breakthrough funk smash "It's Your Thing", released in 1969. He played electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and drums on the group's early 1970s' albums Get Into Something, Givin' It Back, and Brother, Brother, Brother, before fully joining The Isley Brothers in 1973, becoming a multi-instrumentalist playing acoustic guitar, electric guitar, drums and percussion.
Ernie is a prolific songwriter, penning "Fight the Power (Part 1 & 2)",Harvest for the World", "Voyage to Atlantis", "(At Your Best) You Are Love", "Footsteps In the Dark", "Brown Eyed Girl" and co-writing "That Lady", "Between the Sheets" and "Take Me To The Next Phase". His guitar riffs are recognizable on "Summer Breeze", "That Lady", "Voyage To Atlantis" and "Choosey Lover". In 1984, Ernie, Marvin and Chris formed the group Isley-Jasper-Isley, releasing their number one album Caravan of Love.
Ernie Isley outstanding guitar solo's and riffs on songs "Hope You Feel Better" Who Loves You Better and "Say You Will" is a tribute to his remarkable talent. As a young boy, Ernie's guitar skills were heavily influenced and style was developed from watching Jimi Hendrix playing his guitar between his teeth, behind his back and legs that he performed himself playing on his knees to sliding across the stage at numerous of Isley Brothers concerts during the height of the 1970's, 1980's and 1990's.
In 1990, Ernie released his first solo album, High Wire. In the same year he recorded a cover version of The Cars' "Let's Go" for the compilation album Rubáiyát. In 1991, he rejoined Ronald and Marvin on tour and in the studio. In 1996 they released their platinum CD Mission to Please, and in 2001 "Eternal", the lyrics to the title track written by Ernie.
The Isley Brothers were inducted into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
In 2014 the Isley Brothers received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Ernie and Ronald work and tour together as The Isley Brothers. In 2010 and 2011 he participated on the Experience Hendrix Tour. He is a musician on the Janet Jackson album Discipline, on the tracks "Never Letchu Go" and "The 1". He performed on the majority of the 2012 Joss Stone CD The Soul Sessions Vol. 2.
Fender Custom Shop has built for him three custom Zeal Stratocasters, using his personal design.
Ernie is active as a musical mentor in schools and community music programs. He has been a returning guest lecturer at Berklee School of Music in Boston. He is married and has one daughter.