Ernie Isley, master guitarist and member of the legendary group The Isley Brothers, received roses from The Guitar Center Music Foundation this week.
The occasion Thursday (April 4) was the foundation's second annual concert and fundraiser at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, during which Isley received the organization's lifetime achievement award.
“It's a great honor to be a part of this because Ernie's influence has been really under-recognized for a long time,” said award presenter and fellow guitarist-songwriter Vernon Reid, founder of the rock band Living Colour.
He added in part, “It's been delayed so long it's ridiculous. So this is also a measure of justice. As a kid, I would pick up guitar magazines and see Duane Allman on a cover. I would see Dicky Betts on a cover. Or I'd see Rory Gallagher, who I love, on a cover. But the one person I didn't see in those magazines was the person who had the biggest influence on me. And this is Mr. Ernie Isley.'
Tracy Easley
Prior to the award presentation, Isley was musically saluted by a line-up of artists backed by a band led by the evening's musical director, keyboardist and arranger Greg Phillinganes. Reed himself did a rousing rendition of the Isley Brothers' hard-hitting 1975 “Fight the Power, Part 1” with Phillinganes on vocals.
Also receiving hearty applause and cheers was guitarist Ray Parker Jr., aka Mr. Toto co-founder Steve Lukather contributes his roof-lifter work to the Isleys' 1974 cover of Seals and Crofts' classic 'Summer Breeze'. and Melanie Faye, showing off her next-generation guitar skills on the Isleys' slow jam “Footsteps in the Dark” — a 1977 song Ernie wrote that also featured her on guitar and drums.
Calling dad Ernie “my favorite writer” after taking the stage, Alex Isley – a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter in her own right – gave a poignant take on another of her father's compositions, 1976's “At Your Best) You Are Love.” The band and their backing singers opened the night with another Isley release from 1976: the still relevant “Harvest for the World”.
The evening ended with video tributes from a number of artists and musicians. Among them: Nile Rodgers, Chaka Khan, Narada Michael Walden, Sheryl Crow, Carlos Santana and HER (“I've been a great fan since I was a little girl? thank you for paving the way for four artists like me”). Pete Escovedo, who received The Guitar Center Music Foundation's inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award last year, also shared his congratulations. The evening also featured a silent and live auction with items including a guitar signed by Bruno Mars and a daylong studio session with Grammy Award-winning engineer Val Garay.
Referring to the Isley Brothers — O'Kelly Jr., Rudolph, Ronald, Vernon and Marvin — Ernie remarked in part, “We've been blessed with longevity and music. This is an extremely distinguished honor and privilege. I really have no words to describe it. Just thank you.”
His comments followed a video clip from brother Ronald, who noted: “Didn't I tell you you're going to be the best? the one who represents the family. Would you be one of the best guitarists out there and one of the greatest songwriters? You know that I love you. Congratulations my son. You finally made it!” Ernie then picked up his guitar, along with Reed, Grammy-nominated singer Eric Bennett and the band, and launched into a powerful rendition of one of the Isleys' top songs, “That Lady.”
Proceeds from The Guitar Center Music Foundation's annual fundraiser benefit music education and music therapy. The board is chaired by David Helfant. Hammond Entertainment, led by founder/chairman William Hammond, served as the event's producer.
