Ernie Isley

[Jimi Hendrix] was in our home the night the Beatles were on Ed Sullivan in ’64, the first time, you know – ‘Ladies and gentlemen, the Beatles!’ I was on the left side of the couch, Marvin [Isley, from The Isley Brothers] was on the right, and Jimi was in the middle.

There was no thunderclap in our house. We saw that performance. A few days went by, and there was a band meeting in our house, and my eldest brother O’Kelly [Isley Jr.] took the floor and said, ‘Everything’s changed. This English group, the Beatles, isn’t all hype. In terms of rock ’n’ roll music, I think we’ll be alright.’

Ernie Isley – From Guitar World, November 4, 2024

“A few years ago, we were in New York at the estate of a family that owns a red wine, and the Isley Brothers were part of the entertainment. We played, came off stage, posed for selfies, and all that. As I got to my table, my wife said, ‘Paul McCartney’s over there,’” Isley recalls.

The Fab Four bassist was just four tables away, so Isley weaved his way through the tables and tapped him on the elbow. “He stood up and, at his full height, gave me a hug, that just about shut my wind off.

“We were yelling in each other’s ear, and I yelled something like, ‘Paul, George, Ringo and John – you guys were just wonderful!’ He said, ‘Ernie, if it were not for the Isley Brothers, the Beatles would still be in Liverpool.’”

After this heartfelt – and, frankly, historic – exchange and admission, the two got on stage and performed together for the first time. The song they picked? Twist and Shout – a truly full-circle moment.

“That was an amazing experience. I was up there on stage knowing that Jimi once played Shout! with The Isley Brothers.”

From Guitar World, November 4, 2024

Concerts, TV & radio shows

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