R & B musician Isaac Hayes was born in Covington, Tennessee, on August 20, 1942. Following the death of his parents, he lived with his grandparents in Memphis. Leaving school in the ninth grade, Hayes performed at various clubs in town. He returned to night school and recorded his first album in 1962. Hayes' breakthrough album, Hot Buttered Soul, came in 1969. In 1971, he wrote the soundtrack to the movie Shaft becoming the first African American to win an Oscar for Best Song. Hayes also began to act, and had his first major role in the 1974's Truck Turner. Hayes returned to acting in 1981 with a role in Escape From New York. Hayes also had a radio program on KISS-FM. He also established restaurants around the country. In 2002, Hayes was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Hayes passed away on August 10, 2008 at age 65.
Alternative title
History Makers video oral history with Isaac Hayes