'We always had lots of instruments lying around the house—Stratocaster Fenders and jazz instruments—so naturally we were interested and decided to learn how to play,' Ernie Isley said."

In 1968 he did his first professional recording, playing bass on the Isley Brothers' breakthrough funk smash "It's Your Thing", released in 1969.

[7] Ernie is a prolific songwriter, penning, among others, "Fight the Power (Part 1 & 2)", "Harvest for the World", "Voyage to Atlantis", "(At Your Best) You Are Love", "Footsteps In the Dark", "Brown Eyed Girl" and co-writing "That Lady", "Between the Sheets" and "Take Me To The Next Phase".

His guitar riffs are recognizable on "Summer Breeze", "That Lady", "Voyage To Atlantis" and "Choosey Lover".

In 1984, Ernie, Marvin and Chris formed the group Isley-Jasper-Isley, releasing three albums.

In 1996 they released their platinum CD Mission to Please, and in 2001 "Eternal", the lyrics to the title track is co-written by Ernie.

Ernie and Ronald teamed up with Carlos Santana, releasing the 13 track The Power of Peace in 2017.

In 2022, the Isley Brothers teamed with Beyoncé to remake "Make Me Say It Again, Girl", originally released in 1975.