Chris Jasper, Isley Brothers Member & Rock Hall of Famer, Dead at 73
Chris Jasper — the award-winning Isley Brothers songwriter, producer and keyboardist — has died. He was 73 years old.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s family broke the news with a notice on Facebook posted Monday (Feb. 24), one day after Jasper’s death. “He will be deeply missed and his legacy will live on as an inspiration for generations,” it reads.
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The message also noted that Jasper had been battling cancer following a diagnosis in December.
Born Dec. 30, 1951, and educated at the Juilliard School of Music, the Cincinnati native helped transform the Isley Brothers from vocal trio to full-fledged band when he joined the original lineup — comprised of brothers O’Kelly Jr., Rudolph and Ronald Isley — in 1973 alongside Ernie and Marvin Isley. During his decade with the group, they scored numerous entries on the Billboard Hot 100, including top 10 hits “That Lady (Part 1)” and “Fight the Power Part 1,” both of which Jasper helped write.
The Isley Brothers also charted a dozen albums on the Billboard 200 during Jasper’s tenure, including 1975’s No. 1 LP The Heat Is On. 1973’s 3+3, 1976’s Harvest for the World, 1977’s Go for Your Guns, 1978’s Showdown and 1980’s Go All the Way also all reached the top 10.
After the group disbanded in 1984, the pianist formed Isley-Jasper-Isley with Ernie and Marvin, and recorded hits such as 1985’s “Caravan of Love.” He would later go on to pursue a solo music career, becoming known for tracks such as “Superbad” and “The First Time.” He released his final album, It Started With a Kiss, in 2023.
Jasper’s contributions to R&B and popular music were recognized with numerous major accolades over the years, including with his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame along with the rest of his Isley Brothers bandmates in 1992. In 2014, the Grammys honored the group with a Lifetime Achievement Award, eight years after which the Songwriters Hall of Fame inducted the members into its 2022 class.
The icon is survived by his wife, New York attorney and author Margie Jasper, as well as his three sons Michael, Nicholas and Christopher.
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