Stephanie Mills Reflects on Apollo Wins for Ron Isley
Mills blends Apollo memories with birthday wishes in a touching tribute to icon Ron Isley!
Poulami is an associate editor. She did her MA in English from Miranda House, University of Delhi and has qualified UGC-NET. She also holds a PG diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her journey as a content writer began in 2017 and since then, Poulami has garnered diverse interests along the way.
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Image: Instagram
Veteran R&B singer Stephanie Mills turned to Instagram this week to honor fellow music legend Ron Isley on his birthday. In a warm tribute posted on May 21, Mills wrote, “I remember as a young girl being at the Apollo Amateur Night and winning six weeks in a row and getting a professional booking with the Isley Brothers. That is how far back I go with that family and they were so loving and gracious to me. I will forever be grateful to the Isley family, Happy Birthday Ron Isley 🥳🎂🎉🎊 and I wish you many many more #POWER 💛💛💛💛.”
Mills And Isley: A Lifelong Musical Bond
Stephanie Mills first rose to national prominence in the mid‐1970s after winning consecutive Amateur Night competitions at Harlem’s Apollo Theater. Her string of six victories earned her a spot touring with the Isley Brothers, led by Ron Isley. Over the decades, Mills and the Isley family have maintained a close friendship grounded in mutual respect and shared musical roots.
According to her official biography, Mills—who won a Tony Award in 1975 for her role as Dorothy in the Broadway musical The Wiz—credits that early booking with the Isleys as a turning point in her career. Ron Isley, born May 21, 1941, co‐founded the Isley Brothers and penned classics like “Twist and Shout” and “Shout.” This weekend, he celebrated his 82nd birthday surrounded by family, friends and fans who applauded Mills’ public salute.
Birthday Tribute On Instagram
In her Instagram post (@iamstephaniemills), Mills shared a recent photo that captures her smiling against a neutral backdrop, framed by yellow hearts—one of her signature touches. She tagged Ron Isley directly and closed her message with a heartfelt wish: “Happy Birthday Ron Isley… and I wish you many many more.” Her choice of #POWER underscores a theme she’s woven into her brand in recent months.
Early Apollo Triumphs
Mills’ Apollo victories are well documented. As a teenager growing up in Brooklyn, New York, she entered the Amateur Night competition and impressed audiences with her strong, soulful delivery. Winning week after week, she caught the attention of the Isley Brothers, who invited her on tour—an opportunity Mills credits with introducing her to professional stages.
That job led to Mills signing her first record deal and releasing a string of R&B hits throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, including “Home” and 1980’s Grammy‐winning “Never Knew Love Like This Before.” She continued to chart through the decade, earning gold and platinum certifications as a solo act.
Mills’ #power Movement
Mills’ birthday homage also echoes her current creative push under the moniker #POWER. Earlier this spring, she teased new music and exclusive merchandise on Instagram. In a post on May 5, she invited fans to snag signed copies of her latest release and a “LOVE EXPERIENCE” package on her official store—signaling that the same drive which fueled her Apollo wins now fuels her entrepreneurial spirit.
Instagram Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJuVPvpS5_s/
On that post, she reminded followers, “Do you have your signed copy of my new music? #linkinbio … You won’t believe what I’ve put together for YOU!!! #POWER 💛💛💛💛.” The hashtag threads through her birthday tribute, speaking to the energy that’s carried Mills from the Apollo stage to her current projects.
Nearly five decades after those first Apollo victories, Mills remains a revered figure in soul and R&B. Her shoutout to Ron Isley highlights a bond formed on that historic Harlem sidewalk and sustained through years of show‐business highs.
Today, as Mills continues to inspire with new music drops and heartfelt recollections, her message to Isley reminds fans that legends take care of one another—and never forget where they started. Happy 82nd Birthday, Ron Isley! May the music keep playing and the memories keep flowing.
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