Isaac Hayes 1942-2008

Isaac Hayes, the "Black Moses of Soul" who scored an era-defining hit with the "Theme from Shaft" and later went on to star as Chef in the American animated TV series South Park, has died in his native Memphis from an apparent heart attack, found by his wife Adjowa lying unconscious next to an exercise treadmill that was still running. He was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis and pronounced dead a little over an hour later at 2:08pm. Hayes, who was 65, had suffered a stroke in 2006.

Isaac had already made his mark in the business when "Shaft" exploded into the national consciousness in 1971, having already worked at the equally legendary Stax label as a house songwriter and producer. Along with partner David Porter, Hayes wrote several of the label's biggest hits by other artists, including "Soul Man" and "Hold On! I'm Comin'," both smashes for the duo Sam and Dave. His 1969 album Hot Buttered Soul, featuring extended interpretations of recent pop standards, made him an instant star in the R&B community, but it was his decision to sign on for the "blaxploitation" feature film Shaft that made him a household name: with his trademark bald head, shirtless chest, and gold chains, he soon became a soul icon, as well as a progenitor of what would become disco.

Hayes moved to the big screen in later years with films like Truck Turner and I'm Gonna Get You Sucka, and landed the Chef role in 1997 after original choice Barry White bowed out. White left the show in 2006, upset with its depiction of Scientology, to which he had recently converted. Hayes is survived by Adjowa, his fourth wife, as well as a dozen children, fourteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Look for a profile of Hayes' amazing and varied career later tonight.