Chris Jasper, a member of the well-known music group The Isley Brothers, passed away at the age of 73.
Chris' son Michael Jasper confirmed the news on Monday on behalf of their family In a statement on Facebooknoted that Chris was diagnosed with cancer two months ago.
Chris was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and began studying classical piano at the age of seven. He later studied composition at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City.
In 1973, Chris joined the Irie Brothers, formed by Rudolf Iley, Ronald Iley and O'Kelly Isley. His family lived in the same Cincinnati apartment as the island, so when his sister Elaine married Rudolf, he later became step-in-law.
Chris, alongside young Eiley brothers Ernie and Marvin, who joined the group in 1973, “changed the Eiley brothers from a vocal trio into a self-contained six-person R&B/funk group,” Chris' family said in a statement I've said that.
“His songwriting talent and expertise on keyboards and synthesizers became the basis for the group's signature sound,” the statement said, adding that Chris “for your love,” “between the seats” and “fighting.” ” and “fighting” group's involvement in classics. force. “
In 1984, Chris, Ernie and Marvin formed their own group called Isley-Jasper-Isley. The trio's biggest song was “The Caravan of Love.”
Chris began his solo caregiver in 1986 and released 17 albums, including four gospel albums, through his own company, Gold City Records.
Chris' family said his solo hit “Superbad,” released in 1988, “advocated the importance of education, a theme he had been passionate about throughout his career.”
Chris' Gold City label has signed other artists such as Liz Hoag, Front, Out Front and Brozaz.
In the last decade of his life, Chris released his biggest hit album in 2015. This is the cover of Billy Preston's “You Are So Beautiful” and 2019 cover albums called “Share With Me” in 2016.
Artists who sampled Chris' work include Whitney Houston, Aaliyah, Notialias Big, Tupac Shakur, Queen Latifah, Jay Z, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Fantasia, Will Smith and Jaheim. It will be available.
Throughout his career, Chris has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriter Hall of Fame, and has received the National R&B Society Lifetime Achievement Award, the SoulTracks Lifetime Achievement Award and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Chris is survived by his 42-year-old wife, Maggie Jasper, and sons Michael, Nicholas and Christopher.
“He will be deeply overlooked and his legacy will continue to live as inspiration for generations,” the family said.
