Ernie Isley - Life and Career

Life and Career

Ernie was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, 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 and Teaneck, New Jersey. When Ernie was 11, Jimi Hendrix moved into the Isley household in Englewood for several years as he worked as one of the touring guitarists for the Isleys.

Ernie is a self-taught musician. After being influenced by Jose Feliciano's version of The Doors' "Light My Fire", and Jimi Hendrix, Isley trained himself to be a guitarist at 16. However, his first live gig as a member of his brothers' band, at age 14, was as a drummer in 1966; two years later he did his first professional recording, playing bass on the Isleys' breakthrough funk smash, "It's Your Thing", released in 1969. He got his first guitar in October, 1968. He played electric and acoustic guitar, and drums in the group's early 1970s albums, Get Into Something, Givin' It Back and Brother, Brother, Brother, before fully joining the Isley Brothers fold in 1973, becoming a multi-instrumentalist playing both acoustic and electric guitar, drums and percussion.

He is a prolific songwriter writing, "Fight the Power Pts. 1 & 2", "Harvest for the World", "Voyage to Atlantis", "At Your Best, You are Love", "Footsteps in the Dark", "Brown Eyed Girl", "Make Me Say It Again Girl" among others, and "Take Me to the Next Phase" (co-written with brother Marvin and brother-in-law Chris), "That Lady" (co-written with Chris), and "Between The Sheets" (co-written with Marvin), "For The Love of You" (first and third verses), among other songs. In 1984, Ernie, Marvin and Chris left the Isley Brothers and formed Isley-Jasper-Isley, scoring with their number one album Caravan of Love.

In 1990, Ernie Isley released his first solo album, High Wire, writing and composing the entire album. In the same year he recorded a cover version of the The Cars' "Let's Go" for the compilation album, Rubáiyát. The next year, he re-joined Ronald and Marvin on tour and in the studio.

The Isley Brothers were inducted into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.

He is a musician on the 2008 Janet Jackson CD, 'Discipline', on the tracks "Never Letchu Go" and "The 1".

He is the featured guitarist on British soul singing sensation Joss Stone's 2012 CD 'Soul Sessions 2'.

Fender Custom Shop has built for him three custom Zeal stratocasters, using his personal design. He is currently working on a solo album and is an active touring musician, including runs on the 'Experience Hendrix Tour' and performing with his brother Ronald as the Isley Brothers.

Ernie is active as a musical mentor in elementary schools, high schools, colleges, and community music programs. He is married to a photographer and has one daughter, Alexandra.