Isaac Hayes

Overview

Isaac Hayes, the second-born child of Eula and Isaac Hayes Sr., was raised by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Willie Wade Sr. The child of a poor family, he grew up picking cotton in Covington, Tennessee. He dropped out of high school, but later his former high-school teachers to get his diploma, which he earned when he was 21. Otis Redding, Johnnie Taylor, The Bar-Kays, and Booker T. Jones (later of Booker T. & the M.G.s fame) were some of the "Memphis Sound" musical luminaries Hayes worked with during his early years as a budding musician and vocalist. He was a multi-talented composer, singer, and arranger who played the piano, vibraphone, and saxophone equally well. In 1971 he won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for a Motion Picture for the "Theme from Shaft" (1970) and was nominated for Best Original Dramatic Score for Shaft (1971).
- IMDb mini biography by: L. J. Allen-2

Starred alongside Bernie Mac in Soul Men (2008). It was to be their last film as they sadly passed away within a day of each other, Bernie on the 9th August 2008 and Isaac on the 10th August 2008.
His performance as "Chef" in the TV series South Park (1997) was supposed to be a one-time event, but audience reaction was so positive, "Chef" became a regular character.
First African American composer to win an Oscar for Best Original Song (1972) for The Theme from Shaft (1971).
His character, "Chef", was killed off South Park (1997) after his resignation for religious reasons.
Suffered a stroke in January 2006.

"There is a place in this world for satire, but there is a time when satire ends and intolerance and bigotry towards religious beliefs of others begins. Religious beliefs are sacred to people, and at all times should be respected and honored. As a civil rights activist of the past 40 years, I cannot support a show that disrespects those beliefs and practices." - On why he quit South Park (1997) in 2006.
Elvis was a giant and influenced everyone in the business.
Just, you know, you can't put bread in a cold oven. You know, you've got to take your time. You've got to heat it up. So that's what, that's what I like to do with my music. I like to build it, and build it into a maddening, exciting crescendo.
Know the business, learn the business, own something.
If you enjoy the fragrance of a rose, you must accept the thorns which it bears.