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| Hayes revolutionized soul music. (c) Discogs |
Isaac Lee Hayes Jr. was born on this day to Isaac Sr. and Eula Hayes in Covington, Tennessee.
After dropping out of high school, he was persuaded by his former teachers at Manassas High School to get his GED which he would do at age 21. Hayes would then turn to working at a meat-packing plant by day and performing as a musician by night at nightclubs.
Hayes started his recording career as a musician at Stax Records and by 1967, he along with David Porter composed and wrote the hit single "Soul Man" which was recognized as one of the most influential songs by the Grammy Hall of Fame. In 1968, he released his debut album Presenting Isaac Hayes.
His most recognized work came in 1971 when he did the musical score for the film Shaft. Hayes became the third African-American to win an Oscar as he took home the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
As an actor, he performed as Gandolf "Gandy" Fitch on The Rockford Files for 6 years and voiced the character "Chef" on Comedy Central animated series South Park.
Hayes passed away 10 days before his birthday in 2008. 2 years, later on his birthday a section of Interstate 40 in Tennessee was named the "Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway" in his honor.
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