Isaac Hayes Remembered

Isaac Hayes, a prolific genius singer and songwriter, as well as much loved actor, has died at the age of 65. Cause of death isn’t known at this time, but Hayes was known to have suffered from high blood pressure for several years and preliminary findings are pointing to a possible stroke. Full details will be known once the autopsy is concluded.

Specializing on baritone sax and the keyboards, Hayes will always be known as the man who gave a black P.I. named Shaft a theme song that would outlast the movie’s popularity. He also became known as the father of the famous 1960’s and 70’s sound called Memphis Soul and was one of the main songwriters and producers for the highly successful southern soul record label Stax Records. One of Hayes’ greatest pieces was a reworking of the soft-country, Glen Campbell hit song “By the Time I Get To Phoenix.” Hayes turned it into one of the greatest bluesy-soul songs ever recorded. The song appeared on one of his greatest selling albums titled “Hot Buttered Soul.” He went on to record 27 other popular albums and won several awards. His “Shaft” album remained in the Top 10 charts for 14 straight months, staying at number 1 and 2 in the R&B category. He was inducted in the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.

As brilliant as he was as a musician, later generations remember him most from his acting, especially his voice work for the Chef on the infamous television show “South Park.” For the small screen Hayes could be seen in diverse parts for such popular, Emmy winning shows like “The Rockford Files,” “Miami Vice,” “The A-Team,” “Sliders” and “Stargate SG-1,” but it was his speaking role in “South Park” that forever set him in the hearts of fans as an icon.

Some of his most successful acting gigs were in films like “Escape From New York,” playing the baddie opposite another baddie, Kurt Russell; “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka,” “Hustle & Flow,” “Robin Hood: Men in Tights,” “Reindeer Games,” “Johnny Mnemonic,” “Tales From the Crypt” and “South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut.” He currently has two films in post-production due out later this year or in early 2009. One is a horror movie titled “Return to Sleepaway Camp” and the other is an action film called “Knight Forever.”

Isaac Hayes was one of those rare talented people who could do whatever he set his mind to and succeed in it as well. He will be greatly missed by two generations of fans, those who loved him as a musical artist and them that knew him as an actor.