Isley Brothers songwriter, producer, and keyboardist Chris Jasper has died at the age of 73. Jasper’s family announced his passing in a Facebook post on Monday (February 24), one day following his death, which was a result of cancer that the musician was diagnosed with in December. Jasper, a Juilliard School of Music alum, joined the Isley Brothers in 1973, and helped transition the vocal trio into a successful band that garnered several Billboard Hot 100 hits and 12 albums that charted on the Billboard 200. After the group disbanded in 1984, Jasper co-founded Isley-Jasper-Isley with fellow band members Ernie and Marvin Isley, achieving further chart success with hits like “Caravan of Love.” His solo music career also flourished on the strength of celebrated club tracks like “Superbad” and “The First Time.” Jasper’s immense contributions to R&B and popular music were recognized with inductions into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2022. He leaves behind a lasting musical legacy and is survived by his wife and three sons. (Billboard)