Isaac Hayes defined cool. He was a gifted singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, arranger, composer and actor. He was found dead in his home just outside Memphis, Tennessee early Sunday morning (August 10, 2008).
Isaac Hayes’ story was one of overcoming. He was born into poverty and grew up picking cotton in Covington, Tennessee. He had to drop out of high school, but was encouraged later by his former high school teachers to get his diploma, which he earned at the age of 21.
His much beloved stint as “Chef” on the TV series “South Park” was orignially supposed to be a one-time event. However, audience reaction was so positive, “Chef” became a regular character.
The movie Shaft earned Hayes an Academy Award for Best Original Song (the first Academy Award received by an African-American in a non-acting category) and two Grammy Awards.
In 2002, Hayes was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and in 2004, he was honored with Hollywood’s RockWalk (The picture above is from this time). He was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on June 9, 2005.
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I got a little cover versions tribute to him over at:
http://versionsgalore.blogspot.com/2008/08/shafted.html
Thanks, Leopold – I’ll certainly check that out! – Joi