Isaac Hayes: I Thank You, Black Moses

I grew up in the 70s in a place called Tenafly, New Jersey -- an extremely white town that paradoxically became the title to a short-lived black detective TV series. Apparently some producer was driving down 9W towards New York City, and thought Tenafly sounded like Superfly. Ironically, I don't think there were any black students in my school until years later when the great guitarist and singer George Benson recorded "Breezin" and moved down the block.

So clearly, I didn't exactly grow up in the shadow of Stax Records, but my world was opened up big time when I bought "Theme From Shaft" on eight track. I later bought Isaac Hayes' classic album Black Moses. This real sexy, funky, soul music forever blew my Caucasian mind, and led me to explore many of the greatest sounds ever made -- not only by Hayes, but contemporaries like Curtis Mayfield, Sly Stone, George Clinton, Barry White and countless other geniuses of soul during that era. As a writer, producer, artist and even voice over talent on South Park, Hayes left his mark - "can you dig it?"

Thank you, Black Moses, for taking this lifelong fan to the promised land.

Comments

[onegr8singer]

"Here's to You" Issac.....An Original Thinker, One of a Kind- A greatly gifted Musician and Talent. I,too, was deeply influenced by his music in the 70's ----and in answer to his question "Can you dig it?" BOY DID I EVER.....
May your Soul Rest in Peace....Job here on Earth, WELL DONE!

[johnnyneill]

I had the distict honor of seeing Isaac Hayes play at the Bass Opera House in Fort Worth a few years ago. Isaac Hayes was a producer and writer before he ever cut his own records, meaing he has his fingerprits on all our minds without us even knowing it. After the concert, my two friends and I stalked/sought out his exit (hint: Look for the loading dock with the fanciest car, and carry your own Sharpie), after a few minutes his assistant went to get him. He was not leaving yet, he just knew he had fans at the backdoor. He was kind, gracious, and the picture of manliness. He gave us all autographs and talked about a variety of things for a few minutes. I was too starstruck to offer much to the conversation. He acted as if he'd known us all our lives. We had certainly known him that long. I am 45 years old, and I still remember being little when he performed "Theme From Shaft" at the Oscars. I knew then that there was more to life than a redneck South Texas destiny, that there was a world out there. Thank you, Mister Hayes, for never taking yourself too seriously while blessing us all by sharing your life and career. You were a genuine man. You are already missed. I live in India now, and I bought a copy of your Love Songs cd two weeks ago.

Johnny Neill

[ilovemydoggy]

We lost another great artist. Nice article, thanks. Who can every forget "Soul Man"?

Baby boomer artists: http://www.VaboomerViosks.com

[OldJewEyes]

I think it's worthwhile for all of us who love soul music to make as big a noise as possible when the real greats pass. I'm pretty sure there are young people who think Isaac Hayes became a star on "South Park." I am one of the biggest "South Park" fans you'll ever meet, but I think if we can point a few people to check out the man's body of work, we will have provided a soulful public service.

[luziannagirl]

Guess it's now time to give up on my pipe dream that Isaac Hayes would eventually return to South Park.
Tonight we will break out that unopened bottle of good cognac and toast one to the Chef.

[OldJewEyes]

Don't forget to have a little something to eat with that cognac -- Chef and the entire cafeteria staff would have wanted it that way.

[takingbkourcountry]

Thanks, again, DW for summing up how I was feeling .

[OldJewEyes]

Thank you so much for saying so, takingbkourcountry.
And good luck taking back our country.

DW

[youknowwhat]

Good article to honor a great entertainer. Makes you glad to be part of an era that these talented artist helped to create. He left us with some good music.

[unitron]

David, you're aware, aren't you, that Hayes, along with Dave Porter, wrote most of the hits which Sam and Dave had in the '60s?

[OldJewEyes]

Yes, unitron, I am. That's why I put "I Thank You" in my title -- that's one my favorite Sam & Dave hits. I wasn't trying to write an full obit -- only react immediately to his death with a short, personal thank you. I co-wrote a big tribute to Ahmet Ertegun at Jazz at Lincoln Center with Taylor Hackford and when I was playing old Stax stuff while working on that, I was reminded how amazing his catalog as a songwriter was -- apart for his career as artist, not to mention the acting.

Thank you for asking.

DW

[uncleentropy]

Ertegun and Wexler were geniuses and have always duly respected what came out of Stax, but Atlantic really needed to return rights to the music. I know that Stax President Jim Stewart is the one to blame..and he has admitted it...but it really hurt them over the long haul. Stax made other mistakes, too, getting away from their competency to produce a number of forgettable movies, etc. but as a native Memphian I am most pissed at Union Planters Bank who coaxed Stax into borrowing large sums of money and called in the loans when things were bad for them. CBS didn't know what to do with Stax, either.

But let's not look back in anger. The Stax museum is terrific, Booker T and the MGs are playing and still kill, and good folks like you keep the spotlight on the unique talents of people like Issac Hayes. "When Something is Wrong With My Baby" is my favorite but Hayes and Porter were so good it is almost impossible to choose.

[ishok]

We will miss you Isaac. Your music was a part of my formation..and I will always carry you with me.