Mr. Isley was the event of a lifetime
by Linse on 12/21/10Star Plaza Theatre - MerrillvilleBest concert i been too, truely a living legend and I'm only 31!
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The longtime lead vocalist for the Isley Brothers, Ronald Isley helmed the influential family group for close to a half century, a period spanning not only two generations of siblings but also massive cultural shifts that heralded their music's transformation from gritty R&B to Motown soul to blistering funk. Born in Cincinnati, OH, on May 21, 1941, as a preteen he joined siblings Rudolph, O'Kelly, and Vernon to form the earliest incarnation of the group. After Vernon's 1955 death in a bicycling accident, Ronald was tapped as the remaining trio's lead vocalist. Early singles stiffed, but "Shout" -- their 1959 debut for RCA -- sold a million copies, despite failing to crack the Top 40. Only after the Isleys left RCA for the Wand label did they have another hit, this time with their seminal 1962 cover of the Top Notes' "Twist and Shout." After recording for their own T-Neck label, they signed to the Motown subsidiary Tamla in 1965, joining forces with the famed Holland-Dozier-Holland writing and production team. The Isleys' first single, the shimmering "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)," was their finest moment yet and barely missed the pop Top Ten. The group still felt straitjacketed by the Motown assembly line production formula and in 1969, they exited Tamla to resuscitate the T-Bone label. Their next release, the muscular and funky "It's Your Thing," hit number two on the U.S. charts in 1969 and became their most successful record. In 1973, the Isleys scored a massive hit with their rock-funk fusion cover of their own earlier single "Who's That Lady," retitled "That Lady (Pt. 1)." The album 3 + 3 also proved highly successful, as did 1975's The Heat Is On, which spawned the smash "Fight the Power (Pt. 1)." As the decade wore on, the group again altered its sound to fit into the booming disco market; while their success on pop radio ran dry, they frequently topped the R&B charts with singles like 1977's "The Pride," 1978's "Take Me to the Next Phase (Pt. 1)," 1979's "I Wanna Be With You (Pt. 1)," and 1980's "Don't Say Goodnight." In 1986, O'Kelly Isley died of a heart attack and brother Rudolph left to join the ministry soon after; Ronald forged on, however, teaming with younger siblings Ernie and Marvin for albums, including 1996's Mission to Please. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi
Best concert i been too, truely a living legend and I'm only 31!
I was really ready to spend about a hour and a half saying the man was to old and tired or high to be singing, Boy was I suprised the man got down sang a ton of his best songs and showed he still knew how to put on a show . I was impressed
Ron Isley put on a get show. His band was hot. His background singers were beautiful and sang well and his dancers were sexy.
Went to see Mr. I at the Star Plaza Theatre 12/17/10 and the show was absolutely fantastic! Mr. I STILL has IT! He sang everything anyone could have asked and then some. Mr. I had me wanting more and more after he was done. There wasn't a break of boardness in the show at all. He paid tribute to some greats and even Praised God in the midst of it. Just an awesome show. Would definitely see him again if he comes this way.