Chris Jasper, a member of the Isley Brothers, died Sunday at 73 years old after a brief battle with cancer, according to his family.
Radio host and DBS site owner James Golden expressed sympathy in a message on X Tuesday, writing, “Condolences to the entire Isley family on his passing. He will be dearly missed.”
The syndicated radio host known to his many fans as Bo Snerdley recalled speaking with Jasper during a 2022 broadcast of “Bo Snerdley’s Rush Hour.” The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer discussed his career at the time and the debut of a new song from the upcoming album “Raise The Bar.”
In 2022 Chris Jasper – of the Isley Brothers joined me for a discussion of his career and to debut a new song.
Condolences to the entire Isley family on his passing. He will be dearly missed. https://t.co/EZs9rWCXex— Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) February 25, 2025
“So sad. Such a decent person. Had extraordinary conversations with him over the years, and always an inspiration,” Golden said in another post, adding that “his music legacy will live forever.”
Jasper spoke about his education at the Juilliard School of Music and his time with the Isley Brothers who had top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 such as “That Lady (Part 1).”
After forming Isley-Jasper-Isley with the disbanding of the Isley Brothers, Jasper then went on to a solo career and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.
In Memoriam: 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. A classically trained musician and composer, he led the Isleys’ transition into becoming a self-contained band. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/OWQ5nnzz4V
— Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (@rockhall) February 25, 2025
When he spoke with Golden in 2022, Jasper was getting ready to release his album “Raise the Bar.” He released his final album, “It Started With a Kiss,” in 2023.
“You know, you are unapologetically a lover of America, a lover of America’s people, and you are unapologetically spiritual,” Golden told the artist in the 2022 interview.
“Absolutely. That’s who I am,” Jasper replied. “God is very important in my life and if I could just represent him in a small way, you know, I’m happy.”
Jasper is survived by his wife of 42 years, Margie Jasper, an attorney and author, and his three sons Michael, Nicholas, and Christopher.
