Legendary '70s Soul Group Impresses Fans With Their 'Longevity' After 'Epic' Live Performance
- - Legendary '70s Soul Group Impresses Fans With Their 'Longevity' After 'Epic' Live Performance
Yasmine ColemanOctober 30, 2025 at 10:54 PM
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The Isley Brothers are proving that even after six decades, they've still got the funk.
The R&B-soul group's remaining members, Ronald Isley, 84, and Ernie Isley, 73, recently took the stage for a performance amid their current tour, leaving fans stunned at their "longevity" in music.
On Friday, Oct. 24, the Theater at MGM National Harbor was packed with longtime fans—many arriving early, dressed to the nines, eager for a journey back in time. One attendee noted: “The era of ’70s soulful music took over the intimate theater, and created a safe haven where we could all feel as one.”
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When Ronald (often known by his stage persona Mr. Biggs) and Ernie appeared on stage, the reaction was instantaneous. The first chords of a classic like “Between the Sheets” brought hush, and then cheers.
But perhaps what stunned most was not only the performance, but the fact that a band formed in the 1950s is still commanding a stage and connecting deeply with multiple generations. Many in the audience took to social media platforms to share how they came with their parents, or brought their kids, and heard songs that “sound the same and yet feel new.”
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In the comment section of an Instagram post, one concert‐goer emphatically described the experience: “A good time was definitely had!!”
"Longevity at its finest!😍Binging on 'How Lucky I Am'! Love them!❤️🌹🌹🌹," another applauded, while a third confirmed, "I was here ! It was epic."
Someone else penned, "The show was everything from start to finish. I danced so hard I slept like a baby, it was worth every moment. ❤️❤️❤️"
More fans chimed in to add things like, "Great show 🙌," "🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥Legends," and "Isley Brothers Forever ❣️❣️❣️."
The Isley Brothers: An Iconic Story of Family and Music
Originally formed in the early 1950s by brothersO'Kelly Jr., Ronald, Vernon, and Rudolph Isley, the legendary music group's story is part gospel, part rock & roll, and entirely historic.
They started in Cincinnati, Ohio, as a gospel‐singing quartet performing in churches around the city. Tragically, Vernon died in a bicycling accident around 1955, which led to a temporary hiatus. When the remaining trio moved to New York City in the late ’50s, they began recording secular music.
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Their breakout came in 1959 with the gospel‐inflected rock “Shout,” which sold more than a million copies. From there, the Isleys evolved rapidly—recording “Twist and Shout” (famously covered by the Beatles) and “It’s Your Thing,” released in 1969 on their own label, T-Neck).
By the 1970s, with younger brothers Ernie and MarvinIsley, and brother-in-law Chris Jasper added, the group transformed into a full band, pioneering a fusion of soul, funk, rock, and quiet‐storm balladry.
The Isley Brothers have sold millions of records, earned induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (1992), and hold the rare feat of charting new music on the Billboard Hot 100 across six consecutive decades.
FEBRUARY 1978: The Isley Brothers (L-R O'Kelly Isley, Ernie Isley, Chris Jasper, Rudolph Isley, Ronald Isley and Marvin Isley) pose for a portrait in February 1978. Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesThe Isley Legacy Continues
Next up, according to their tour schedule, the Isley Brothers will hit Hard Rock Live Sacramento in Wheatland, Calif., on Nov. 14, followed by shows in Highland, Calif., and Grand Prairie, Texas, on Dec. 12 and 13, respectively.
In February 2026, they're slated to set sail on Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite Cruise alongside the "Lifetime" crooner, Kem, Kelly Price, Lucky Daye, and more.
Next: Beloved Costars from Classic ‘90s Cult-Favorite Film Finally Reuniting for New Movie
This story was originally reported by Parade on Oct 31, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
