Isley Brothers Honored by New Jersey Hall of Fame

The legendary Isley Brothers, whose soulful music has resonated for decades, have officially been recognized with a prestigious honor: induction into the New Jersey Hall of Fame (NJHOF). This latest accolade celebrates the enduring impact of the Ohio-born family group, who have deep ties to the Garden State.

A Celebration of Jersey’s Finest

The induction ceremony took place on November 21st at The Rink at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford. Remaining members Ronald Isley, 84, and Ernie Isley, 73, were present to accept the honor. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy expressed his pride, stating, “New Jersey is honored to be home to so many Hall of Famers who continue to inspire us all. Their talent, grit, and heart reflect the classic Jersey spirit that has always set us apart.”

This isn’t the first time the Isley Brothers have been celebrated in New Jersey. Previous joint ceremonies by the cities of Teaneck and Englewood honored the group by renaming a street in their name. This induction marks their second Hall of Fame recognition, following their entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.

From Gospel Roots to Funk and Soul

The Isley Brothers’ musical journey began in the 1950s as a teenage gospel quartet featuring the four oldest brothers: O’Kelly, Rudolph, Ronald, and Vernon. After Vernon’s tragic death at 13, the family, encouraged by their parents, relocated to New Jersey in 1959 to pursue rock ‘n’ roll. It was in New Jersey that they settled and laid down roots for decades.

Their first major hit, “Shout,” released in 1959, reached No. 47 on the Billboard Hot 100. The group expanded significantly in 1973 when younger brothers Ernie Isley (drums and lead guitar) and Marvin Isley (bass guitar) joined, along with brother-in-law Chris Jasper on keyboards. This evolution transformed them into a full band, incorporating funk, rock, and soul, leading to a string of chart-topping albums like “3 + 3,” “The Heat Is On,” and “Between The Sheets.”

An Enduring Legacy

The group’s founding member, Rudolph Isley, passed away in 2023. In 2014, the band was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Today, brothers Ronald and Ernie continue to perform globally. They are set to join Maxwell on his Urban Hang Suite Cruise concert series in February 2026, alongside other notable artists like Kem, Lucky Daye, Kelly Price, and Tweet.