Isaac Hayes: In Memorium From Shaft To South Park

Sultry soul singer Isaac Hayes died Sunday evening in Memphis. No autopsy was performed, but his family doctor declared the cause of death as a stroke, since Hayes had suffered them previously and was currently being treated for high blood pressure. According to an AP report, Hayes was in his Memphis home, lying next to a treadmill that was still running when family members found him and called 911. (Turns out, exercise can lead to death. So be safe, stay on the couch!)

Despite the "bad blood" between Hayes and South Park creators Trey Stone and Matt Parker, the cartoon's website includes a simple image of memorium to Chef. Hayes supplied the voice of Chef, the soul-food slinger and mentor to wayward boys on the long-running cartoon, until 2 events led to Chef's horrible end. Chef was brutally killed off by Stone and Parker after Hayes allegedly took offense to an episode that made fun of his chosen religion. Hayes participated in plenty of religion-bashing episodes prior to the one that targeted Scientology, so it's unclear if this was the reason he no longer wanted to participate. At the time, Hayes was recovering from a different stroke attack and was unable to work at all. One thing is clear: Hayes suffered debilitating strokes that eventually led to his demise. In memorium, here are 2 videos that feature Isaac Hayes as he is best known and most beloved:

Isaac Hayes- Soulville:

Chef:

More info:

Associated Press report

NME report

South Park website

What are your favorite Isaac Hayes memories?