Throwback: Happy Black History Month: The Isley Brothers

Today is the 12th day of Black History Month. Because the current administration is racist, fascist and wants to deny the existence and histories of anyone that isn’t cis-het and white, there are some important things everyone should remember during this month — and every single month: 

• You can’t love Black artists and their work, and not see them as people 
• Black lives — and Black art matters 
• Black culture is American culture 

As we go through the month, I’m going to talk about a collection of Black artists. It’ll be fairly comprehensive and eclectic list — although it won’t be a complete list. Of course, there are some important Black artists, who were also born during Black History Month. 

So far, I’ve talked about the following, extraordinary artists:

• Big Boi, who also celebrated his 50th birthday on February 1
• Rick James, who was born 77 years ago on February 1
• James Brown, the legendary Soul Brother #1
• The Temptations‘ Dennis Edward, who also was born 82 years ago on February 3
• Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the godmother of rock ‘n’roll 
• Bobby Brown, who also celebrated his 56th birthday on February 5
• The legendary Bob Marley, who was  was born 80 years ago on February 6
• James Dewit Yancey, best known to the entire world as J. Dilla, one of the most influential and important hip-hop producers and beatmakers who was born 51 years ago on February 7
• Aretha Franklin, the queen of soul 
• Billie Holiday, whose influence on jazz and pop has been towering
• The legendary Roberta Flack, who also celebrated her 88th birthday on February 10 
• Janelle Monáe, who’s guably one of the most dynamic and exciting artists out there today

We have to talk about the legendary  The Isley Brothers. Over their eight decade career — yes, eight decades! — the act originally founded by O’Kelly, Rudolph and Ronald Isley has written and recorded some of the most beloved songs ever recorded. “Shout,” “This Old Heart of Mine,” “Who’s That Lady,” “Fight the Power Parts 1&2,” “Footsteps in the Dark,” “Live It Up,” and a lengthy list of others have been covered, sampled or referenced endlessly throughout hip-hop and pop culture.

As an R&B group, they managed to have several distinct periods: Their classic soul period, their psych soul/rock period and their Quiet Storm period — all anchored by Ronald Isley’s voice and the band’s remarkable playing. Long live The Isleys! Long live Ronald Isley!