Singer Isaac Hayes was found dead at his home in Memphis yesterday. He was discovered by his wife lying next to a still-running treadmill in their basement. A Shelby County Sheriff's deputy performed CPR, but Hayes was pronounced dead an hour later.
Hayes had a long and varied career. He first became know as a flamboyant rhythm and blues singer, and is still perhaps best know for his 1971 hit, 'Theme From Shaft', which also won him an Oscar for Best Original Song at the 1972 Academy Awards. He had been hired as a pianist by Stax Records in 1964 and wrote hits including Sam & Dave's 'Soul Man' and 'Hold On, I'm Coming'. However, four years after his Oscar success, a series financial problems at Stax led to him losing his home, personal possessions and rights to royalties from his music. Although he had a number of minor hits after this, he never again achieved the heights of his earlier career as a musician, and pursued a new career in acting.
In the 90s, Hayes reached a brand new audience as the voice of Chef in 'South Park'. This lead to his biggest hit since the 70s, Christmas novelty single, 'Chocolate Salty Balls'. He left 'South Park' in 2006 after an episode made fun of the Scientology movement, of which he was a member, saying "there is a time when satire ends and intolerance and bigotry towards religious beliefs of others begins". However, it was later reported that he left the show because he had suffered a stroke that same year.
Hayes had been due to spearhead a new campaign for the Memphis Heart Clinic, beginning this Friday. He had been married four times and had twelve children.