Chris Jasper, a former member of the Isley Brothers who helped the group shape its flamboyant funk-rock sound, has died. The singer-songwriter died Sunday at age 73, his family announced Monday on Facebook,

Jasper was an R&B singer-songwriter and producer credited with shaping the sound of the Isley Brothers in the ‘70s and ’80s. He, along with Ernie and Marvin Isley, transformed the vocal trio (originally known for ‘50s and ’60s hits like “Shout” and “This Old Heart of Mine”) into a six-member R&B/funk group in 1973.

"It’s a moment where people open their ears as we did when we were kids and listened to the Rolling Stones and the Eagles."