Biography
Isaac Hayes was born on August 20, 1942, in Covington, Tennessee, into extreme poverty as the child of sharecroppers. A self-taught musician proficient on piano, organ, and saxophone, he sang in church choirs and performed in Memphis nightclubs after dropping out of school. By 1964, he joined Stax Records as a session musician and house band member, rising to prominence as a songwriter and producer partnering with David Porter to craft hits like Sam & Dave's 'Soul Man' and 'Hold On! I’m Comin’'.[1][2][3][5]
Hayes launched his solo career with Presenting Isaac Hayes in 1968, but achieved stardom with Hot Buttered Soul in 1969, revolutionizing soul music through extended tracks, orchestral arrangements, deep baritone vocals, and concept albums that defied the three-minute single format. His 1971 Shaft soundtrack, featuring the iconic 'Theme from Shaft,' topped charts, earned an Academy Award for Best Original Song, and multiple GRAMMYs, influencing disco, rap, and urban contemporary genres. Nicknamed 'Black Moses,' he released platinum albums like Black Moses and scored films throughout the 1970s, while later voicing Chef on South Park in the 1990s.[1][2][3][4]
Hayes's legacy endures as a soul pioneer who expanded musical boundaries, blending funk, orchestration, and storytelling, while acting in films like Truck Turner. He continued recording into the 1990s and remained culturally influential until his death on August 10, 2008, in East Memphis, Tennessee.[1][2][3]
Fun Facts
- Hayes was the first African-American composer to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song for 'Theme from Shaft' in 1971.
- His Hot Buttered Soul (1969) featured only four tracks, with one—an 18-minute version of 'By the Time I Get to Phoenix'—redefining soul album structure.
- Known for his bald head, dark sunglasses, and shaved appearance on Hot Buttered Soul's cover, contrasting the era's afros.
- He worked in a slaughterhouse as a teenager before music success.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- None explicitly documented - Self-taught musician with no specific mentors or teachers noted in sources (N/A) [Early career]
Key Collaborators
- David Porter - Songwriting and producing partner ('Soul Man,' 'Hold On! I’m Comin’,' Sam & Dave hits) [1960s]
- Sam & Dave (Sam Moore and Dave Prater) - Artists for whom Hayes and Porter wrote/produced ('You Don’t Know Like I Know,' 'Soul Man,' 'I Thank You') [1960s]
- Bar-Kays - Backing band providing solid backbeat (Hot Buttered Soul) [1969]
- Memphis Symphony - Orchestral support (Hot Buttered Soul) [1969]
Artists Influenced
- Curtis Mayfield - Paved way for film scoring in Black music (Motion picture soundtracks) [Post-1971]
- Norman Whitfield - Inspired to write for the screen (Film scores) [Post-1971]
Connection Network
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
ISSAC HAYES has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2026 | 15:04 | Do Your Thingfrom THE BEST OF ISSAC HAYES | Bluesw/ DJ Giant |