R.I.P. Isaac Hayes
He put the soul in Shaft and the funk in South Park, but just as it hurt to see his alter-ego, Chef, go in the famed cartoon, such is the same for his actual self. At age sixty-five, Isaac Hayes has passed away. His body was found in his Memphis home Sunday morning, the cause of death still to be determined.
The Tennessee born musician hit it big with 1969’s Hot Buttered Soul and later with 1975’s Chocolate Chip, two records that embraced both the past sounds of soul and the then future sounds of disco. But it was his thick, sultry voice and that wah-pedal riff in the theme for 1971’s Shaft that brought him well deserved accolades, including an Oscar win for Best Song. His themes continued in sequels and later albums to follow.
Hayes even embraced an acting career, with roles in everything from 2005’s Hustle & Flow to B-movie parody I’m Gonna Git You Sucka. And nobody will ever forget him as the lovable and sexually motivated yet quasi-neurotic Chef on Comedy Central’s South Park.
Regardless, his loss is one for the books and he will be sorely missed.
what a legend.
R.I.P.
The Duke of New York. The A number one. The Big Man.
Rest in Peace.
So sad. On the note about South Park, I wish they could have reconciled. The show hasn’t been the same w/o Chef.