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Isaac “Ike” Wiley was the founding drummer for the 1980s R&B/funk band the Dazz Band, known for their hit, “Let It Whip.”
Isaac “Ike” Wiley’s legacy
Wiley co-founded the Dazz Band in Cleveland in 1976 alongside his bassist brother, the late Michael Wiley, and others. Taking their name from a mashup of “danceable jazz,” the Dazz Band got an early leg up when they were able to work with producers Marvin Gaye (1938–1984) and Philip Bailey. They had minor hits from their first albums, produced by Bailey, including “Shake It Up” and “Knock! Knock!” Their greatest success came from their 1983 third album – “Let It Whip” topped the R&B charts and found success on pop radio, climbing to the Top Five. It also won the band a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance. The Dazz Band followed that with hits including “Joystick,” “Let It All Blow,” and “On the One for Fun.”
After leaving the Dazz Band in the mid-1980s, Wiley continued to have a rich career as a drummer. He focused on jazz drumming in later years, recording and touring with musicians including Najee, Stanley Clarke, and Bob James.
Tributes to Isaac “Ike” Wiley
Full obituary: Soul Tracks