Ronald Isley’s music has always blurred the line between art and autobiography. One of the most surprising recent examples came during a live performance of the Isley Brothers’ classic hit “Choosey Lover.” In a modern performance, Ron Isley added a revealing lyrical twist—publicly naming Bobby Womack as the man who slept with his first wife, Margaret Tinsley.

Ronald Isley has been married three times: first to Margret Tinsley (1960–1987), then to singer-songwriter Angela Winbush (1993–2002), and currently to singer Kandy Johnson Isley, whom he married in 2005. While fans long speculated about the emotional roots of “Choosey Lover,” Isley’s recent performance appears to confirm that the song was deeply personal—and rooted in betrayal.

“Choosey Lover” (1983): Love, Loyalty, and Betrayal

“Choosey Lover” was released on April 24, 1983, as a single from The Isley Brothers’ 22nd studio album, Between the Sheets. The song climbed to No. 6 on the R&B chart and became one of the album’s standout tracks, alongside the title song “Between the Sheets,” which reached No. 3. 

During this time, Ron Isley was still married to Margaret Tinsley. In the song, he praises a woman for being selective, loyal, and intentional with love—qualities he later confirmed were inspired by his second wife, Angela Winbush. In contrast, the lyrics reflect his realization that his first marriage was compromised by infidelity. 

 

In a recent live performance at the Starlight Theatre at the Pala Indian Reservation & Casino in Pala, California, on May 10, 2024, Isley stunned audiences by naming Bobby Womack directly in the lyrics: “Thought I had a lover… By the time I learned the truth about it, She was sleepin’ with Bobby Womack.”

 

YouTube performance clip: https://youtube.com/shorts/Sc_iLIeayoc?si=iYB24APmD9Fp1IHh

From Scandal to Collaboration: Ron Isley & Bobby Womack

Perhaps the most fascinating chapter in this story is what happened next. Despite the personal betrayal referenced in “Choosey Lover,” Ron Isley and Bobby Womack would go on to collaborate years later—demonstrating a rare level of maturity and artistic reconciliation. 

 

 In the mid-1990s, Ronald Isley appeared on Bobby Womack’s 1994 comeback album Resurrection. The collaboration featured the emotionally raw duet:

 

Track 7:  “Trying Not to Break Down (Duet with Ronald Isley)” 

 

Womack also planned to feature Isley on his unreleased album The Best Is Yet To Come before his passing in 2014. The collaboration stands as a powerful reminder that soul music often mirrors real life—messy, painful, forgiving, and deeply human.