Chris Jasper, former Isley Brothers member and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Dead at 73

As a member of the Isley Brothers, Jasper was a keyboardist, percussionist and vocalist, Jasper's keyboard and Moog synthesizer work contributed to many of the group’s live performances and singles including their hits “Between the Sheets” and “For the Love of You.

He later formed the project Isley-Jasper-Isley, with Ernie and Marvin Isley, in 1984, which reached #1 on the Billboard R&B chart in 1986. 

Jasper's work with the Isley Brothers has been covered and sampled by artists including Whitney Houston, Aaliyah, Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, Queen Latifah, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Fantasia, Will Smith, and Jaheim. 

As a member of the Isley Brothers, Jasper was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 and was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.

In 2016, Jasper was awarded the National R&B Society Lifetime Achievement Award.

As a solo artist he released 17 albums and received numerous gold and platinum albums.

The news of Jasper's death was confirmed by his son, Michael Jasper, who said he died following a diagnosis with cancer in December last year.

Jasper 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, his family said.

"He will be deeply missed and his legacy will live on as an inspiration for generations".