Isaac Hayes is a music legend who swooned hearts for over forty years. an accomplished musician and composer, he is best known to the mainstream world as the voice of "Shaft" (he made the movie's soundtrack and sang its theme song, which won two Grammy's for best original score and movie theme) and later on as being the sexually charged chef who doled out sage advice to the raucous kids of
South Park. But Hayes made his mark in much more ways within his community and abroad.
Over the years, Hayes, known for his gold chains, open shirts and bald head, delivered hits like "Never Can Say Goodbye," a romantic remake of the Jackson 5's pop ballad, "Walk On By," and "Joy," to name a few. His music delivered the beats artists from Eric B. & Rakim to Tricky to Destiny's Child sampled the most (over 150 different, according to some claims). He served as arranger to Alicia Keys' debut bow, Songs in A Minor; became a spokesperson for and after a visit to the country of Ghana, became a member of its Royal family.
Hayes was born on August 20, 1942, in Covington, TN; his parents died
during his infancy, and he was raised by his grandparents in Memphis. After making
his public debut singing in church at the age of five, he taught
himself piano, organ and saxophone before moving to Memphis to perform
on the city's club circuit in a series of short-lived groups like Sir
Isaac and the Doo-Dads, the Teen Tones, and Sir Calvin and His Swinging
Cats. He eventually teamed up with partner David Porter, and the duo began writing over 200 hit songs for the Memphis-based Stax Records. "When Something Is Wrong With My Baby,"
"Soul Man," and "Hold On, I'm Comin'," "B-A-B-Y," "I Got to Love Somebody's Baby," "I Had a Dream," for artists such as Sam & Dave, Carla Thomas and Johnnie Taylor, respectively.
Hayes was found on conscious in his home next to a running treadmill. He was taken to a nearby hospital but could not be revived. Doctors report that Hayes died of a stroke. Married four times, he has 12 children, the youngest is two years old. He will be missed by all.
