Farewell to a Hot Buttered Soul

Isaac Hayes passed away today. It bothers me that so many people only know him as Chef on South Park, and have no idea of either how big a star he used to be or how important a figure in the history of Soul and R&B. Back in the '60s and early '70s, the songwriting team of Hayes and DavidPorter were the staff writers at Stax Records in Memphis, responsible for hits like "B-A-B-Y", "Ain't That Loving You", "Hold On I'm Coming", and "I Thank You" for Stax and Volt artists. Hayes had an amazing solo career that started in the late '60s and was one of the biggest draws in the business. Albums like Hot Buttered Soul and Black Moses sold millions and his smooth, laid-back style changed the face of the soul ballad. The almost 19 minute long version of "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" on Hot Buttered Soul was possible the first time a single song had occupied one entire side of a soul album and was one of those classic "get her in the mood" records (still is, for that matter). His soundtrack album for Shaft made him a superstar. That's the Isaac Hayes I want to remember - the one who brought the audience to its feet at the Wattstax concerts. He was one bad mother... well, you know the rest.