Chris Jasper, Isley Brothers member and influential R&B musician, dies at 73
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 25: Musician Chris Jasper attends the GRAMMY Foundation's Special Merit Awards ceremony at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre on January 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
Singer-songwriter Chris Jasper, a member of The Isley Brothers and a solo artist, died at the age of 73, according to his family.
His family posted a lengthy statement on Jasper's Facebook page, saying the musician died on February 23.
"He will be deeply missed, and his legacy will live on as an inspiration for generations," the family posted.
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What we know:
The family said Jasper died following a cancer diagnosis in December 2024.
What we don't know:
The family didn't elaborate on what type of cancer Jasper had.
Who was Chris Jasper?
Dig deeper:
According to the Facebook post, Jasper was born in December 1951 in Ohio.
His journey in music started when he was 7 years old and started studying classical piano. Jasper then studied music composition at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts in music composition.
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In 1973, Jasper joined Ernie and Marvin Isley, transforming The Isley Brothers into a six-member R&B/Funk group.
The family said Jasper was instrumental in shaping many of the group's hits, such as "For the Love of You," "Between the Sheets," and "Fight the Power."
In 1984, Jasper then formed the trio Isley-Jasper-Isley with Ernie and Marvin. The group also achieved success with hits like "Caravan of Love" in 1985.
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Jasper then went solo in 19876 and founded Gold City Records, releasing seventeen R&B albums, including four gospel albums.
His achievements garnered many gold and platinum albums and music industry awards. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. Other achievements include receiving the National R&B Society Lifetime Achievement Award, the Soultracks Lifetime Achievement Award and being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
His work is credited with influencing other artists such as Whitney Houston, Aaliyah, Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, Queen Latifah, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Fantasia, Will Smith, and Jaheim.
Chris Jasper and his family
Jasper is survived by his wife of 42 years, Margie. He also leaves behind three sons.
Beyond his musical achievements, Chris was a dedicated and loving husband and father. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Margie Jasper, a New York-based attorney and author, and his three sons, Michael, Nicholas, and Christopher.
What they're saying:
Several tributes have been posted on social media in honor of Jasper.
"He was a very cool and talented brother who will be missed," famed radio DJ Donnie Simpson posted on social media.
"As a member of 1992 Inductees The Isley Brothers, Chris Jasper played a key role in defining the sound of soul and funk in the 1970s and 1980s," the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame tweeted.
The Source: The information in this story primarily comes from a statement posted by Chris Jasper’s family on his Facebook page, which announced his passing and provided details about his life, career, and cause of death. This story was reported from Los Angeles.