Today would have been the 71st birthday of R&B pioneer, Isaac Hayes. Isaac Hayes is best known for his years as a writer, performer, and producer for the legendary Stax label, having composed, along with his partner David Porter, Sam & Dave’s landmark ’60s hits “Hold On! I’m Comin’,” “When Something Is Wrong With My Baby,” “You […]

According to the AP, the man responsible for one of the most famous r&b rhythm guitar riffs ever has passed away….The ‘Shaft’ theme was composed mainly by Isaac Hayes but the rhythm was Charles “Skip” Pitts….May he rest in peace. http://www.blackamericaweb.com/?q=articles/entertainment/blak_music_month/39655

Where: (click below to visit venue on Foursquare)135 North Grand Avenue When: April 10, 1972 What: For his composition of the “Theme from Shaft,” the man behind the “Stax records sound” was awarded the Academy Award for Best Original Song, becoming the third African-American, after Sidney Poitier and Hattie McDaniel, to win an Oscar. «  PREVIOUS […]

With the increasing number of films aimed towards black audiences in the early 1970s, filmmakers realized that they couldn’t turn to Henry Mancini to provide the musical backdrops for these movies.

If he had lived, Isaac Hayes, the singer, songwriter restaurateur and philanthropist known as Black Moses, would be 68 today. By: Denise Stewart, BlackAmericaWeb.com

With the increasing number of films aimed towards black audiences in the early 1970s, filmmakers realized that they couldn’t turn to Henry Mancini to provide the musical backdrops for these movies.