Died On This Date (August 10, 2008) Isaac Hayes / Soul Legend

Isaac Hayes
August 20, 1942 – August 10, 2008

isaac-hayesIsaac Hayes was a Tennessee-born musician, singer, songwriter and producer who had a hand in some of the greatest soul songs ever produced.  Hayes began his music career as a session musician for Stax Records in Memphis where he began writing songs for the label’s roster of artists.  With songwriting partner, David Porter, Hayes co-wrote such R&B staples as “You Don’t Know Like I Know,” and “Soul Man,” which has been called one of the most influential songs of the 20th century.  By the late ’60s, Hayes started making his own albums, which included the monumental, Hot Buttered Soul, Black Moses, and most famously, the soundtrack to the blaxploitation film, Shaft!.    Then title song would become one of the most beloved songs of the era.  In later years, Hayes found a new audience as the voice of Chef in the popular animated series, South Park.  In 1998, “Chocolate Salty Balls” as performed on the show by Chef became a #1 hit in the UK.  And in 2002, Hayes was elected into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.  Isaac Hayes died of an apparent stroke after being found by his wife lifeless on the floor next to his treadmill which was still running.  He was 65 years old.

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Hot Buttered Soul (Remastered) - Isaac Hayes

Died On This Date (August 9, 2008) Charlie Adell / Veteran R&B Record Promoter

Charlie Adell
September 19, 1923 – August 9, 2008

Charlie Adell was a record promoter who specialized in R&B during his run which began when in the 1950s, Brunswick Records hired him to work records by Jackie Wilson, among others.   During the ’60s, Adell moved over to the legendary Stax Records where he worked with such acts as the Staple Singers and Isaac Hayes.  Later, he went to work for Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff at their Philadelphia International label, promoting the likes of the O’Jays and Wilson Pickett.  Charlie Adell passed away on August 9, 2008 at the age of 84.


Died On This Date (October 11, 2008) William Claxton / Legendary Music Photographer

William Claxton
October 12, 1927 – October 11, 2008

William Claxton was a respected photographer who documented the American jazz scene of the ’50s and ’60s.  He captured some of the era’s most iconic images.  His list of subjects included Art Pepper, Gerry Mulligan, and most famously, Chet Baker.  His images of Baker casually dressed in a t-shirt were instrumental in developing the overall hip image of the musician.  Claxton is also responsible for many famous pictures of the likes of Sting, Barbra Streisand, Steve McQueen, Frank SinatraJudy Garland, Isaac Hayes, and many more.  William Claxton died of congestive heart failure just one day before his 81st birthday.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums

Chet Baker by William Claxton
Chet Baker by William Claxton

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