Ten Reasons Why Isaac Hayes Was "Black Moses"
Born August 20, 1942 in Covington, Tennessee, Isaac Hayes was a prolific composer, producer, and recording artist who won an Oscar, two Grammys, and a Golden Globe Award for scoring the 1971 movie "Shaft."
Hayes' honors also include being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005. He created a unique heavily orchestrated sound with extended spoken introductions featuring his distinctive bass vocals.
Hayes began his career as a staff composer for Stax Records, and his list of classic compositions include "Soul Man," "When Something Is Wrong with My Baby" and "Hold On, I'm Comin'" by Sam & Dave. During his four-decade career, he collaborated with several artists, including Barry White, Dionne Warwick, and Millie Jackson.
Hayes was also a successful actor, appearing in several movies including Truck Turner and Escape From New York. On television, he was featured in a recurring role in The Rockford Files from 1976-77, and voiced the character of Chef on the animated TV series South Park from 1997-2005.
He passed away August 10, 2008 at the age of 65 after suffering a stroke.
Here is a list of "Isaac Hayes' Ten Greatest Hits."
Issac Hayes composed, produced and recorded the soundtrack to the 1971 film Shaft starring Richard Roundtree, and the theme song won an Academy Award For Best Original Song, and a Grammy for Best Instrumental Arrangement. The soundtrack also won a Golden Globe for Best Original Score and a Grammy for Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special.
"Theme from Shaft" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number two on the R&B chart.
From the 1971 Black Moses album, Issac Hayes' version of "Never Can Say Goodbye" reached number five on the Billboard R&B chart and number 22 on the Hot 100. The song was originally recorded by The Jackson Five.
From the Shaft soundtrack, Isaac Hayes reached number three on the Billboard R&B chart and number 30 on the Hot 100 in 1972 with "Do Your Thing."
The title song of Isaac Hayes' 1973 album Joy reached number seven on the Billboard R&B chart and peaked at number 30 on the Hot 100.
From Isaac Hayes' second studio album, Hot Buttered Soul in 1969, his version of Dionne Warwick's 1964 classic "Walk On By" peaked at number thirteen on the Billboard R&B chart and number 30 on the Hot 100. The twelve and a half minute recording established his trademark for mesmerizing, hypnotic songs.
The title song of Isaac Hayes' 1979 album Don't Let Go reached number eleven on the Billboard R&B chart and number eighteen on the Hot 100.
Isaac Hayes composed, produced and recorded the "Theme from The Men" which reached number 38 on the Billboard R&B chart. The 1972-73 ABC program consisted of three separate rotating crime/adventure series: Assignment Vienna starring Robert Conrad, Jigsaw starring Pernell Roberts, and The Delphi Bureau starring Laurence Luckinbill.
On Isaac Hayes third studio album, The Isaac Hayes Movement in 1970, he covered Jerry Butler's "I Stand Accused" with an eleven minute, 39 second version that began with a five minute spoken intro. The song peaked at number 23 on the Billboard R&B chart.
"By The Time I Get to Phoenix" was made popular in 1967 by Glen Campbell, and two years later, Isaac Hayes covered the song for his Hot Buttered Soul Album. His classic version runs for 18 minutes and 40 seconds, with an eight minute spoken intro that recounts the events that transpired before the actual road trip.
In 1975, Isaac Hayes reached the top of the Billboard R&B album chart for the fifth time with Chocolate Chip. The title song peaked at number thirteen on the R&B chart.
Hayes' honors also include being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005. He created a unique heavily orchestrated sound with extended spoken introductions featuring his distinctive bass vocals.
Hayes began his career as a staff composer for Stax Records, and his list of classic compositions include "Soul Man," "When Something Is Wrong with My Baby" and "Hold On, I'm Comin'" by Sam & Dave. During his four-decade career, he collaborated with several artists, including Barry White, Dionne Warwick, and Millie Jackson.
Hayes was also a successful actor, appearing in several movies including Truck Turner and Escape From New York. On television, he was featured in a recurring role in The Rockford Files from 1976-77, and voiced the character of Chef on the animated TV series South Park from 1997-2005.
He passed away August 10, 2008 at the age of 65 after suffering a stroke.
Here is a list of "Isaac Hayes' Ten Greatest Hits."
1. 1971 - "Theme from Shaft"
Issac Hayes composed, produced and recorded the soundtrack to the 1971 film Shaft starring Richard Roundtree, and the theme song won an Academy Award For Best Original Song, and a Grammy for Best Instrumental Arrangement. The soundtrack also won a Golden Globe for Best Original Score and a Grammy for Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special.
"Theme from Shaft" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number two on the R&B chart.
2. 1971 - "Never Can Say Goodbye"
From the 1971 Black Moses album, Issac Hayes' version of "Never Can Say Goodbye" reached number five on the Billboard R&B chart and number 22 on the Hot 100. The song was originally recorded by The Jackson Five.
3. 1972 - "Do Your Thing"
From the Shaft soundtrack, Isaac Hayes reached number three on the Billboard R&B chart and number 30 on the Hot 100 in 1972 with "Do Your Thing."
4. 1973 - "Joy"
The title song of Isaac Hayes' 1973 album Joy reached number seven on the Billboard R&B chart and peaked at number 30 on the Hot 100.
5. 1969 - "Walk On By"
From Isaac Hayes' second studio album, Hot Buttered Soul in 1969, his version of Dionne Warwick's 1964 classic "Walk On By" peaked at number thirteen on the Billboard R&B chart and number 30 on the Hot 100. The twelve and a half minute recording established his trademark for mesmerizing, hypnotic songs.
6. 1979 - "Don't Let Go"
The title song of Isaac Hayes' 1979 album Don't Let Go reached number eleven on the Billboard R&B chart and number eighteen on the Hot 100.
7. 1972 - "Theme from The Men'"
Isaac Hayes composed, produced and recorded the "Theme from The Men" which reached number 38 on the Billboard R&B chart. The 1972-73 ABC program consisted of three separate rotating crime/adventure series: Assignment Vienna starring Robert Conrad, Jigsaw starring Pernell Roberts, and The Delphi Bureau starring Laurence Luckinbill.
8. 1970 - "I Stand Accused"
On Isaac Hayes third studio album, The Isaac Hayes Movement in 1970, he covered Jerry Butler's "I Stand Accused" with an eleven minute, 39 second version that began with a five minute spoken intro. The song peaked at number 23 on the Billboard R&B chart.
9. 1969 - "By The time I Get to Phoenix"
"By The Time I Get to Phoenix" was made popular in 1967 by Glen Campbell, and two years later, Isaac Hayes covered the song for his Hot Buttered Soul Album. His classic version runs for 18 minutes and 40 seconds, with an eight minute spoken intro that recounts the events that transpired before the actual road trip.
10. 1975 - "Chocolate Chip"
In 1975, Isaac Hayes reached the top of the Billboard R&B album chart for the fifth time with Chocolate Chip. The title song peaked at number thirteen on the R&B chart.