Soul-singing pioneer and acclaimed songwriter Isaac Hayes passed away over the weekend at his home in Memphis, Tennessee. He was 65.
The Shelby County Sheriff's Office said a family member found Hayes unresponsive near a treadmill. He was pronounced dead about an hour later at the Baptist East Hospital in Memphis. The cause of death is currently unknown at this time.
Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr. was a major figure for urban contemporary music in the 1970’s with hits like “Walk On By” and “Theme From Shaft,” which earned an Academy Award for Best Original Song. He also voiced the lovable, soul-singing cook Chef from the vulgar television show South Park. He was best known for his signature muscular build, shiny baldhead, and huge, dark sunglasses along with a low, soulful voice.
"Isaac Hayes embodies everything that's soul music," Collin Stanback, an A&R executive at Stax Records, told The Associated Press on Sunday. "When you think of soul music you think of Isaac Hayes — the expression ... the sound and the creativity that goes along with it."
Hayes was preparing a new album for Stax Records, the soul record label he helped build to legendary status. He also finished up his work on Soul Men in which he played himself, starring Samuel Jackson and comedian Bernie Mac, who died on Saturday.
August 10, 2008 @ 11:00 pm
Soul Singer Isaac Hayes Dead at 65
Legendary singer and songwriter was found at his Memphis home near a treadmill
Article tags: Isaac Hayes
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