Singer Rudolph Isley was a founding member of the family R&B-pop group the Isley Brothers, who had hits in the '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s.

Isley was born April 1, 1939. He began the band in his native Cincinnati with his brothers, Ronald and O'Kelly, in 1957. Their first hit was the call and response "Shout," which has since become a classic.

They had their second hit in 1962 with a song that became another rock/soul perennial, "Twist and Shout," which later was covered by the Beatles. The Isleys' backing band included Jimmy James, later known as Jimi Hendrix.

Other Isley hits included "This Old Heart of Mine," "It's Your Thing," and a cover of Stephen Stills' "Love the One You're With."

The Isleys sold more than 2 million copies of their 1973 smash, "That Lady (Part 1)." Two years later, they scored with "Fight the Power (Part 1)." In the later '70s and '80s, they mixed disco and soul on such songs as "The Pride."

Rudolph left the band to become a minister in the late '80s. In 1992, the Isleys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Two years later, they won a copyright suit against Michael Bolton, who a court found based his "Love is a Wonderful Thing" on their song of the same name.

Other birthdays Saturday: Gil Scott-Heron, 51; and Mark White (ABC), 38.