The Backstory: How a rough plane ride led to the Isleys' "Let Me Down Easy"

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    The amalgamation of siblings and in-laws known as the Isley Brothers has withstood time, vast changes in musical styles, revolutionary developments in race relations and age to become by any measure one of the most important musical groups of the last half-century. Read full biography.

    And while the group was perhaps best known for scorching funk songs, there were also dozens of classic Isley bedroom ballads that continue to get play on quiet storm radio stations, album and mp3s around the world. And one of those gems is the gentle "Let Me Down Easy."

    In this installment of our series "The Backstory," Isley Brothers keyboardist and songwriter Chris Jasper tells the story behind that song, and the not-so-gentle plane ride that was an uncomfortable influence. Check it out below.

    The amalgamation of siblings and in-laws known as the Isley Brothers has withstood time, vast changes in musical styles, revolutionary developments in race relations and age to become by any measure one of the most important musical groups of the last half-century. Read full biography.

    And while the group was perhaps best known for scorching funk songs, there were also dozens of classic Isley bedroom ballads that continue to get play on quiet storm radio stations, album and mp3s around the world. And one of those gems is the gentle "Let Me Down Easy."

    In this installment of our series "The Backstory," Isley Brothers keyboardist and songwriter Chris Jasper tells the story behind that song, and the not-so-gentle plane ride that was an uncomfortable influence. Check it out below.