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There’s nothing more effective than a close call in your life to make you say “Screw the dumb s—t!” and put things in proper perspective.
There’s nothing more effective than a close call in your life to make you say “Screw the dumb s—t!” and put things in proper perspective.
Just ask R&B legend Ronald Isley, star attraction forThe Isley Brothers, whose illustrious five-decade career has net he and brother Ernie Isley a massive music catalog of hits, legions of loyal music fans, numerous awards, and an iron clad notch on the belt buckle of music history.
On the phone from his home in St. Louis, Missouri, where he admittedly goes to get away from the strains of show business at least six months out of the year, Isley’s demeanor is quiet, reflective and appreciative. He has had quite a run over the past two years: recovering from a stroke that occurred during a trip to the UK in 2004 and a highly publicized legal issue with the IRS; amidst accusations that claims he cashed checks that were not rightfully his and failed to report five years worth of income—to all of which he has plead not guilty.
But it was his extravagant Beverly Hills 2005 wedding; where he married beautiful singer Kandy Johnson, a woman 35 years his junior that had tongues a-waggin’. The couple first met eight years prior, when the bride, together with her sister Kimberly, began performing backup with The Isley’s as members of the singing duo, JS, (The Johnson Sisters).
The union, which occurred eight and one half months ago, seems to have put Ron Isley’s state of mind in a place more befitting the legend that has spent the past five decades of his life aiming to make people feel good. Of the age difference he claims “no comment,” when asked by EUR; but in a 2005 interview the new Mrs. Isley shared these glowing words about her new husband with Jet Magazine following the wedding ceremony:
“Age is nothing but a number. The most important thing is love. He’s a charming, loving, romantic, supportive man. He’s every woman’s dream. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him that he wouldn’t do for me.”
With the loss of so many of our great African American legends over the past few years, Ron Isley, who has already lost one brother to a sudden heart attack and has another brother struggling with diabetes, feels fortunate to be a survivor.
“I’m blessed to have come through a stroke...It happened to me because of high blood pressure...I had a bad cold and I was out of town. Someone got me to a doctor right away. That’s why the stroke was mild. I had to sit back for about a year and I couldn’t do anything…I went through six or seven months of therapy...I couldn’t walk at first. It affected my speech, my right arm, I couldn’t lift my arms… From what I heard about it and to experience it and to be back 100% is a blessing,” says the singer, who admits he had previously ignored warning signs and advice given to him by his doctors.
“I was afraid of needles… [Reasoning] I’m not going to take all those shots, I’ll be alright. It sounds stupid but that’s what I was thinking...I went to see a doctor…He said, ‘your pressure is up kind of high. You should come and see me on another day’ and I didn’t go back to see him... If a doctor tells you to take something and you don’t pay attention and try to do some kind of home remedy…that’s something you shouldn’t do.”
Now, Ron Isley is settling into a new marriage and aiming to reclaim his musical livelihood with “Baby Makin’ Music” the latest offering from The Isley Brothers featuring Ron Isley and their debut on new label Def Soul Classics. The CD has several highlights by guitar virtuoso Ernie Isley and drops today, Tuesday, May 9. Needless to say, considering what Isley Bros. fans have become accustomed to, the title should come as no surprise.
“That’s what we’ve been known for,” confirms Isley, “so that’s what the album is all about. It’s our sound with an updated twist. We’re always looking at new ways of interpreting love songs. On this album I was introduced to some producers and writers who wrote material especially for me. “I’d never worked with producer Jermaine Dupri before and I was anxious to do that. He did three songs, the first one he played me I liked right away and that was ‘Gotta Be With You’ which tells the story of a guy who’s been in the game for a while. Then he also did ‘Beautiful’ and ‘Forever Mackin,’ which is perfect for “Mr. Biggs!”
Heavy weight producer L. A. Reid is yet another collaborator on the project.
“L. A. Reid is a genius. He has a way of setting things up, ‘this will come out first…this second…and this third. Right away, I knew he was doing the right thing.”
Other producers on the album include Troy Taylor (Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, Yolanda Adams) and Gordon Chambers (Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin and Brandy) who also wrote the CDs first single, “Just came here to Chill,” which currently sits at No. 33 on the Billboard Music Charts for week the ending May 13. The accompanying video, which came out in April, garnered favorable reviews from critics and fans alike. The storyline shows Ron Isley returning as “Mr. Biggs,” who throws a low-key party where an uninvited guest (a jewel thief) shows up. But Mr. Biggs, of course, is one step ahead and the thief plays right into his hands.
With the creation of musical alter ego, “Mr. Biggs”, Ron Isley has extended his creative life span and speaks about how the inspiration for the name came about:
“It happened with that song, “Down Low.” We [R. Kelly and I] were sitting around talking about the video and he said, ‘Well that’s what they respect you for, being Mr. Big’…I didn’t know it would wind up being what it is but I’m very satisfied… I felt it right away. It turned out to be the right thing for me...It’s a nickname such as ‘Queen of Soul’ is for Aretha Franklin...It’s a way of saying, ‘You the man!’ because of the time I’ve spent in the business.”
Kelly, another producer on the new record, first collaborated with the Ron Isley in 1996 when he approached him about appearing on his then-third, self-titled album, “R. Kelly.” Together, they manifested the Top 10 pop and R&B #1 hit “Down Low” (Nobody Has To Know) and the two have seemed joined at the hip musically ever since. “Blast Off,” the new duet between “Mr. Biggs” and R. Kelly, was completed just weeks before the album’s release.
Unlike any other family name, the Isley’s have appeared on the charts for each of the last five decades. The musical skill, artful flexibility and eagerness of The Isley’s to align themselves in collaboration with young hit-making artists shows no signs of them slowing down. When asked if he has any plans to retire, Isley, who will turn 64 in late May replies emphatically,
“No, no, no! I’ve never even thought about it…I’d like to thank the fans for being with us so long. For going through all the things they have had to go through with us.”
“Baby Makin’ Music” on the Def Soul Classics label, releases today, May 9.
You can HEAR Baby Makin' Music right now before you buy. Check it out HERE.
The Isley Brothers featuring Ronald Isley's Baby Making Music IN STORES NOW from Def Soul Recordings.
BABY MAKIN' MUSIC - ALBUM TRACKLISTING
1. You're My Star
2. Blast Off featuring R. Kelly
3. Just Came Here to Chill
4. Gotta Be With You
5. Pretty Woman
6. Forever Mackin'
7. Show Me
8. Give It To You
9. Beautiful
10. Heaven Hooked Us Up
11. Help Me Write This Song
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DeBorah B. Pryor is a freelance Journalist whose work appears often in EUR and a variety of national and local publications. Her work as a journalist has taken her all over the world, most recently to Southern Africa. She also presides over The Art of Communication: Public speaking for private people, a unique series of workshops conducted in the Los Angeles area and geared to empower support staff to succeed in today’s challenging workplace environment. Ms. Pryor can be reached by Email: DeBorah@Dpryorpresents.com