Isaac Hayes

August 20th, 1942 - August 10th, 2008

With a career that spanned generations, at age 65 Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr. had earned many titles. Isaac Hayes was an award-winning musician, a legendary action hero, a voice-over actor for animation, a Memphis radio host, a best-selling cookbook author, restaurant owner, and a generous humanitarian.

In the early 1960's, Isaac started working as a studio session musician for the Stax record label in Memphis, TN.

Loss of a King

April 4th, 1968 at the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis, the reverand Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is assassinated. Isaac Hayes had worked with King, and was supposed to meet him later that fateful day. He was devastated by the news, but he became even more determined to succeed and make the world a better place.

In the summer 1969, his Hot Buttered Soul album was released to a responsive audience. In 1971, his music career peaked with his Black Moses album and the theme song from the movie Shaft. That won him an Oscar for Best Original Song, an Oscar for Best Musical Score, three Grammy awards, the NAACP Image Award, and a Golden Globe,

In 1974, Hayes made it to the big screen as an action hero of the movie Truck Turner, and would later go on to star in dozens of hit movies.

Despite all of his success, by 1977 Hayes was bankrupt. From a man who had changed the chains of slavery into chains of gold, the reality of his fall to the bottom hit home when the IRS seized his gold Cadillac El Dorado.

A New King

While promoting literacy, his message was heard by Princess Naa Asie Ocansey of Ghana. The princess told her father (Nene Kubi III) about Isaac's efforts, and Hayes was coronated King of the Ada coastal district of Ghana in western Africa. With his appointment to King, he was awarded an estate of land. Instead of constructing a palace, Hayes chose to build a large school for the community.

"We have the knowledge, technology, research, resources, and experience. Let's turn crime, illiteracy, unhealthy, unproductive poverty lifestyles around from the ground up. One child, one community at a time - we can change the world! Let's give our children our best!"

A New Generation

In 1998, Hayes reached popularity with the younger generations through his voice as Chef on the hit cartoon series South Park. His song "Chocolate Salty Balls" made it to #1 on the music charts in the UK. Hayes reached the sci-fi audience when he appeared in a recurring role on the Stargate television series. Hayes also captured the hip-hop generation with his appearance in the movie Hustle and Flow.

Isaac Hayes with Gary Wright II and Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney

I'm Off to Meet the King

As a human rights activist, I work closely with our elected officials on numerous projects for the community. While fighting to keep music education in our schools, my congresswoman (Cynthia McKinney) made a dream come true for me: I had the pleasure of meeting the king!

What do you say to a legend like Isaac Hayes? First, I thanked him for being there. Then, I thanked him for me being there. I joked that without him and Barry White, most of my generation wouldn't have ever been conceived. That comment brought lots of laughs from Isaac and the crowd!

I tried to find a way to describe Isaac, but the only word I could think of was "tireless." He had worked so hard his entire life, yet still gave so much back to his community.

During a more private moment, I had a question I had to ask: What is it like playing Chef on South Park? to which he whispered, "You get away with murder!".

The influence of Isaac Hayes has changed the course of several genres of music. Not only did he break through the barriers for future artists to follow him, but he has become a true inspiration for multiple generations - past, present, and future.

IsaacHayes.com

Isaac Hayes

Music:

Shaft
Hot Buttered Soul
Black Moses

Links:

IsaacHayes.com