The Isley Brothers lawsuit: Ronald Isley accused of cutting older brother Rudolph Isley out of legendary musical group’s profits
Rudolph Isley has filed a lawsuit against his younger brother Ronald Isley over trademarks to the legendary musical ensemble.
Rudolph, 83, said in legal docs reviewed by TMZ that Ronald, 81, made business transactions without his knowledge that potentially cost him money.
In the suit, Rudolph told the court that Ronald successfully applied for the trademark to the name The Isley Brothers last summer, and has since collected all of the profits.
Rudolph said in legal docs that he and his younger brother had agreed to evenly split the band’s profits since the 1986 death of their brother and bandmate O’Kelly from a heart attack.
Rudolph said in court docs that Ronald violated the arrangement they agreed upon when he obtained the use of the name for ‘visual recordings and audiovisual recordings featuring music and animation’ last August after applying in November 2021.
The latest: Rudolph Isley, 83, has filed a lawsuit against his younger brother Ronald Isley, 81, over trademarks to the legendary musical ensemble. Ronald, Rudolph and Ernie Isley were pictured performing in LA in June of 2004
Rudolph said that that Ronald needed his authorization to obtain the trademark, but did not contact him about the deal ahead of time.
Rudolph said that for decades, he and Ronald evenly divided the profits – including multimillion dollar publishing arrangements – prior to recent developments.
Rudolph has requested the judge in the case to audit Ronald’s earnings since the change, and have him reimburse him for half of the amount.
He is also requesting the judge reinstate his 50 percent share in the group’s earnings.
The Cincinnati, Ohio-based group initially started out as a quartet with brother Vernon Isley, who died at the age of 13 in a 1955 car accident.
They continued with Ronald as lead singer and Rudolph and O’Kelly as backup singers.
The ensemble had hits such as 1959’s Shout, 1962’s Twist and Shout (later covered by the Beatles), 1966’s This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You), 1969’s It’s Your Thing, 1973’s That Lady and 1975’s Fight the Power.
The group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
Ronald was pictured performing during the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture at the Louisiana Superdome on July 3, 2022 in New Orleans
The late O’Kelly, Ronald and Rudolph Isley were pictured in a retro shot
The talented siblings were seen posed in a 1971 shot in NYC. The group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992
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