Isaac "Ike" Wiley

April 1984, Grad Night at Disney World. They tore the roof off ! They were amazing and it was the highlight of Highschool ! After the show he gave me his stick and I have it to this day in my music room at home. Thanks so much for all the great music and inspiration. GOD bless you. T. A. Miller S.H.S. class of 1984

My heartfelt condolences are offered to the family, many, many friends, colleagues and devoted fans of Isaac "Ike" Wiley. Isaac "Ike" Wiley was the founding drummer for the 1980s R&B/funk band the Dazz Band, known for their hit, "Let It Whip." He was greatly admired by his fellow artists and all those who knew him. May the love and many, many special memories you shared with your devoted loved one show how much your life was touched by him. May the God of comfort bless your grieving hearts with strength, loving kindness and peace as the world copes with the loss of Isaac "Ike" Wiley. May his music and legacy keep his memory alive forever.

He was my personal drum teacher growning up in Cleveland and Personally introduced me to meet Drummer Steve Ferrone and put me on a path I´m living today . I´m sad , but I know he will be welcome in Gods band as a good and faithful servant.

When I got the news that Ike Wiley passed away, I was devastated and extremely heart broken.
Ike was an amazing father, a great husband, a cherished friend, and an incredibly amazing, multitalented musician. Ike was not only a best friend he was my brother in all but blood. There are not enough words to describe the connection and our friendship. Ike had an amazing spirit-I loved the enthusiasm he displayed as he learned and shared music. As I write this, I get very emotional because I have to accept that he is no longer here-and that knowledge hurts my heart.
 
As a young musician growing up in Cleveland, I had the pleasure of working with many great, talented musicians. Ike Wiley was brought to my attention by various musicians that complimented his abilities. We finally met at Joe Simone´s studio as the Dazz Band was rehearsing. Ike and I instantly connected. I was extremely happy and proud of Ike and the Dazz Band because they positively represented Cleveland. The Dazz Band was an amazing band that was co-founded by Ike and Mike Wiley.
 
One day, The Dazz Band performed an amazing show at the Front Row. Ike played an incredible drum solo-I will never forget-that solo rocked the house! Ike was definitely a true inspiration.  It´s a shame that band disbanded. Years later, Ike and I saw each other at Rhythms Jazz Club-George Duke was performing that night. When Ike and I talked, his words to me were, "Man you need to hear me play!" My response was, "Ok, let´s get together." We got together and when I heard Ike, I was super thrilled because Ike was still an amazing musician and I felt in my bones that me and this brother were going to grace the stage together.
 
Many of you know Ike, the musician, I knew Ike, the musician, AND Ike, the man. I know of the pain and difficulties Ike experienced. Especially the loss of his brother, Mike, and the unfortunate situations with the Dazz Band. I saw the way he loved his beautiful wife, Beverly, and I saw how he loved their kids. I did not know his first wife, but Ike always spoke highly about all of his kids. He knew some of my family and I knew some of his.
 
Over the years, our working relationship and our friendship became very strong. Before I left and moved to LA, Ike and I would attend shows together. Hanging out with this brother was always a joy-especially when we went to see musicians that Ike really admired and was influenced by. One of the shows we went to together was at the front Row. The band was Najee, Billy Cobham, and Stanley Clarke. At the show, I introduced Ike to Najee and Ike gave Najee a video (before cell phones with videos were popular). Not too much later, we were supposed to play a show, Ike called me to tell me he could not do the gig. The gig we were supposed to do, Ike went to play with Najee. See, when Najee listened to the video of Ike playing, he called Ike and over the phone he immediately hired Ike to play. I was happy for Ike he truly deserved that opportunity.
 
After I moved to California, I got the opportunity to perform with Stanley Clarke and eventually I became Stanley´s musical director. I was so happy and when I shared this news with Ike his response was, "Man, you have to get me on that gig!" My response was, "Bruh, you need to come to LA." Ike came and the situation worked out perfect! Ike was hired to play with Stanley.
That was one of the happiest and best moments of my life-to have the honor and pleasure of playing with my brother and friend, Ike. I felt that Ike truly deserved that type of gig because Ike was an amazing drummer.
 
There are not enough words to describe how I will always cherish our friendship, the fun we shared on the road, the late-night conversations-the times we shared, laughing and teaching each other music. Ike played various instruments other than the drums-he played the guitar, bass guitar, and the saxophone. Ike also had an amazing voice-man, this brother could sing. I would teach him piano and he would teach me techniques for playing the guitar.
 
Ike wrote some incredible music. I´m honored he let me play on his music. We were working on songs for a collaboration CD. To honor Ike´s memory, I´m going to finish that project. The songs we worked on will be on the next CD. I vow to finish and dedicate this future project to Ike.
 
Ike, I will always love you. My friend and brother, I´m definitely going to miss you. I´m going to miss your laugh, your sense of humor, and you telling me, "Come on Nick, you´re killing me!" whenever I said something you thought was funny. May you RIP and create some beautiful music in the Heavens with your brothers Mike and Andre.
 
Prayers, Condolences and Sympathy to the Wiley family.
 
Love always,
Nick & Annette

Sending heartfelt condolences to Beverly and the Wiley family. Thank you for sharing the beauty of Ike with all of us. He was truly the brother I never had. Heaven needed a drummer and called him home. Much love.

R.I.P. Mr.Isaac

I would like to offer my condolences to Issac Wiley. He was one of the best people to meet and to know.

Ike was a kind and gentle man I had the pleasure to meet years ago. His beautiful voice will be greatly missed. My condolences to his loving family which he spoke about often.

Deepest condolences

I remember the band from the Kinsman Grill. Always good fun.
Erma Sayles

Accept my condolences

We were blessed to have Ike for a friend about 15 years He always make us feel like family. I enjoyed all his funny stories. We loved all his great music.
You are always in heart, prayers.
God Bless Bev and family.
We are here if you did anything.

Pam and Johnny Cool Phillips

I was a FM Radio Joc back in the day, and remember quite vividly the first day a recording by a new group called The DAZZ Band arrived in the mail at our radio station. I spent that afternoon listening, and by nightfall when I went on the air it was my featured music for the evening. I truly enjoyed their music, playing on air, at home, or when I was hired to do dances the DAZZ Band music was often included. Ike was a great drummer, and I express my condolences to his family and the Band members on his passing.

Prayers for the Wiley family, you are not alone in your grief, so very sorry for your loss, God help you all.

Rip Ike prayers to your family .I enjoyed many talks with you threw the years you were with Ron Howard...always very pleasant...bless your family ...yours truly Annie Ron Howard's wife ...

God is a God of all Comfort and he will Comfort us in all our trials..My Condolences..

Such a talented drummer that was part of an amazing group. Loved his music later in his career too. Sincere condolences to the Wiley family, may God be with you to help you heal in your time of loss.

I am so sorry for your families loss. I hope you can find comfort in Gods promise to reunite us with our loved ones found at Acts 25:15.

The Dazz Band has been a wonderful memory as part of my young adult life. I graduated high school in "83" and had been collecting all of their albums.
I believe it was 5 that I had and not only did they create chart topping songs but most understated were the LOVE songs.
Isaac Wiley may you continue to live on in Paradise!

Please accept our deepest condolences for the loss of your loved one Isaac was an amazing musician but more than that he was a first class human and a dear friend to many. We are so blessed to have been his friends. We are at a loss for words. Gone but never forgotten. We are here for you Beverly, always.
Much love, Doug and Brenda Cowell

JOHNNY COOL @PAMJ

There will never ever be another group like Earth Wind and Fire!! Sleep in heavenly peace always and thank you for your amazing music that I will NEVER get tired of listening too!!! Peace be with your family and friends always.

I absolutely loved your music! Still have it on my playlist, listen and dance to it all the time. You will be greatly missed.

What an amazing and talented musician! I still have the Dazz Band's music on my playlist, listen to it all the time. Thank you for all the great music, you will be missed.