Isaac Hayes: Legend Dead at 65

Isaac Hayes has died at age 65.

Hayes’ wife found him on the floor near a treadmill inside his home, according to the station’s Web site. Hayes was taken to Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, where he was pronounced dead at 2:08 p.m.

A musical legend, soul singer, songwriter, musician and producer with a career of over fourty years.

Mr. Haye’s popularity surged unexpectedly as the voice of “Chief” on “South Park”.

Isaac Hayes was born in Convington, Tennessee, in 1942. He was legendary for the development of the 1960′s Southern Soul sound. Then went on to be a superstar as a solo performer.

Hayes and his songwriting partner, David Porter, are reported to have written over 200 songs. Many of which were smash hits;

Soul Man, Hold On, I’m Comin’, B-A-B-Y, and I Had A Dream.

His career reached a pinnacle in 1971 with the single and album, “Shaft”. This release awarded Hayes with a Grammy Award and an Academy Award.

In 1997 Hayes popularity was reborn as the voice of “Chief Jerome McElroy”. The character became one of the most popular on the show, providing the main characters with advice and frequently breaking into comical R&B love songs that were usually parodies of some of his own material.

Isaac Hayes was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.