Chris Jasper’s sound on various keyboard instruments throughout his musical career, whether
acoustic piano, clavinet, or synthesizers like the Moog and the ARP, was undeniable.
The Isley Brothers were already an established hit-making group when Chris Jasper, along with
younger Isley siblings, guitarist Ernie and bassist Marvin, officially joined the three-member
group, making them a self-contained six-man band. But Chris is a Jasper, not an Isley, so how
did this happen? More on that later…
Chris was born on December 30, 1951, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He learned classical piano at an early
age and later attended the Juilliard School of Music to study song composition. The Isley and
Jasper families lived in the same apartment complex, and Chris’s sister Elaine married
Rudolph Isley. At that time, the Isleys consisted of Rudolph, O’Kelly, and Ronald Isley. Two
younger brothers, Marvin and Ernie, joined Chris and started a band of their own, The Jazzman
Trio. Little-known fact: Jimi Hendrix (yes, that Jimi Hendrix!) lived with the Isley Brothers when he
was their guitarist.
Now located in Teaneck, New Jersey, the older brothers soon had the younger musicians playing
on records and touring as unofficial members starting in 1969. By 1973, it was official, they joined the Isley Brothers for good. Once part of the band, Chris became the principal songwriter, producer, and arranger in what is now called the 3+3 era. Hits and fan favorites like “That Lady,” “Fight the Power,” “Voyage to Atlantis,” and “Groove with You,” soon followed. The Isley Brothers became one of the few black acts to top the Billboard Pop Albums chart in the 1970s with their 1975 platinum album, The Heat Is On.
The three youngest members eventually splintered off and formed Isley-Jasper-Isley, with Chris
singing lead on many songs. Their biggest hit, “Caravan of Love,” was a huge record in 1985,
topping the R&B charts. After three albums, Chris went solo, releasing a No. 1 song of his own,
“Superbad,” in 1988. In later years, his independent imprint, Gold City Records, was responsible
for his various releases up until 2024.
The Isley Brothers were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, the Vocal Group
Hall of Fame in 2003, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys in 2014, and
joined the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2022.
The Fleet DJs had the honor of interviewing Chris on September 12, 2022, to discuss his then
new record, Raise the Bar.
Chris Jasper passed away on February 23, 2025, after a short battle with cancer. He was 73 years
old. He is survived by his wife, Margie, of over 40 years, and three sons.
