Isaac Hayes, soul sensation and voice of 'South Park' character Chef, dead at 65

Isaac Hayes, the pioneering singer, songwriter and musician whose relentless "Theme From Shaft" won Academy and Grammy awards, died Sunday, the Shelby County Sheriff's Office said. He was 65.

The pioneering singer, songwriter and composer, who along with Al Green, James Brown and Stevie Wonder, was one of the dominant black musicians of the early 1970s, was found unconscious near a treadmill in his house on Sunday by a family member.



Paramedics administered CPR and he was taken to hospital but pronounced dead about an hour later, officials said. The cause of death was not released. Hayes suffered a stroke in 2006.

In the early 1970s, Hayes, with his distinctive deep voice and hook-laden compositions, laid the groundwork for genres including disco, contemporary urban music and rap as well as romantic crooners such as Barry White.

The tall, shaven-headed musician, whose trademark look featured dark sunglasses and plentiful jewellery, emerged as a recording artists in the late 1960s with his soul albums Hot Buttered Soul in 1969, followed by Black Moses, 1971. Both were released on Stax Records, the southern soul label which hired him as a backup pianist in 1964. He worked as a session musician for Otis Redding and others and also played saxophone.

He began writing songs, establishing a partnership with David Porter, and in the 1960s they wrote such hits for Sam and Dave as "Hold On, I'm Coming" and "Soul Man."

Hot Buttered Soul was hailed as ground-breaking for the lush orchestral sweep, length of many of the tracks and Hayes' vocal style - one track features an 8-minute spoken word introduction. The album contained just four songs but sold over a million copies.

Hayes was born in 1942 in a tin shack in Covington, Tennessee, about 40 miles north of Memphis. He was raised by his maternal grandparents after his mother died and his father took off when he was 1½. The family moved to Memphis when he was six.

Hayes wanted to be a doctor, but got redirected when he won a talent contest in ninth grade by singing Nat King Cole's "Looking Back."

He held down various low-paying jobs, including shining shoes on the legendary Beale Street in Memphis. He also played gigs in rural Southern juke joints where at times he had to hit the floor because someone began shooting.

A self-taught musician, he was hired in 1964 by Stax Records of Memphis as a backup pianist, working as a session musician for Otis Redding and others. He also played saxophone.

Hayes also composed film scores and won an Academy Award for best original song for his theme to the 1971 blaxploitation film Shaft, starring Richard Roundtree The track, which became a number one hit, also won two Grammys.

At the Oscar ceremony in 1972, Hayes performed the song dripping in gold and received a standing ovation.

His career hit another high in 1997 when he became the voice of Chef, the sensible school cook and devoted ladies man on the animated TV show South Park.

In a 1999 interview, Hayes described the South Park cook as "a person that speaks his mind; he's sensitive enough to care for children; he's wise enough to not be put into the 'whack' category like everybody else in town - and he l-o-o-o-o-ves the ladies".

But Hayes quit the show in 2006 in anger after an episode mocked his Scientology religion. "There is a place in this world for satire, but there is a time when satire ends and intolerance and bigotry towards religious beliefs of others begins," he said.

Hayes originally wanted to be a doctor, but changed his mind after winning a school talent contest by singing Nat King Cole's Looking Back.

Bernie Mac, Star of TV's `Bernie Mac Show,' Dies

Comedian Bernie Mac, who made his name playing a standup comedian thrust into the role of raising his nieces and nephew, died today following complications with pneumonia. He was 50.

His publicist, Danica Smith, confirmed his death in an e-mailed statement. She declined to disclose any other details. Mac had recently been admitted to a Chicago-area hospital, suffering from pneumonia. The comedian had also had bouts with sarcoidosis, a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect the lungs, since 1983. He disclosed the condition in February 2005.

Mac's TV program, ``The Bernie Mac Show,'' cast the real- life comedian as a standup who suddenly becomes a father when he gains custody of his sister's three children. The show ran from 2001 to 2006.

On the show, which ran on News Corp.'s Fox network, Mac played a by-the-book uncle who had little tolerance for children who misbehaved. His grouchiness, however, was tempered with a soft touch that he often gave in to.

He was nominated twice, in 2003 and 2004, for Golden Globe awards for his work on the comedy. Mac also received two Emmy nominations for the show, in 2002 and 2003, according to the Internet Movie Database Web site.

His film credits include ``Transformers'' (2007), ``Ocean's Eleven'' (2001), Spike Lee's ``Get on the Bus'' (1996), and ``House Party 3'' (1994), according to IMDB. In 1992, he made his film debut in ``Mo' Money.''

`Incredibly Talented'

In ``Ocean's Eleven,'' Mac played a con man working as a card dealer who was recruited by Danny Ocean, played by George Clooney, to be an ``inside man'' in the heist plot against a Las Vegas casino.

``Bernie came in and he knocked this role out of the park. He is this incredibly talented actor who looks you straight in the eyes and makes you howl,'' Clooney said in comments posted on the Warner Bros. Web site for the movie.

Mac was born Bernard Jeffrey McCullough on Oct. 5, 1957, in Chicago, where he was raised. He is survived by his wife, Rhonda, and daughter Je'Niece, a son-in-law and a granddaughter, Jasmine, the Chicago Tribune said.


Dan Hart in Washington at dahart@bloomberg.net.

LATEST NEWS FROM SISTATALK!

For those still in London for the summer, we are pleased to support a number of plays taking place in London as follows:-


Forty by Angie Le Mar
Hackney Empire
2nd – 17th August 2008
www.hackneyempire.co.uk




Let There Be Love by Kwame Kewi-Armah
Tricycle Theatre, Kilburn
Until 30th August 2008
www.tricycle.co.uk




Make Love Not War by Talawa Theatre Limited
Drill Hall
7th – 13th August 2008
www.talawa.com




The Harder They Come
Playhouse Theatre
Until 29th August 2008
www.etickets.theambassadors.com




If you wish to promote your events to our members please join www.sistatalk.co.uk and www.brothatalk.co.uk to post your blogs, events and organisational events. This is a new feature and will only be successful if you complete this properly and pass on to others to join. Remember, we have to start somewhere – and you are the pioneers, supporting all the initiatives that we develop to ensure that we promote and showcase your accomplishments, products and services as widely as possible.

Alize, the legendary Liqueur, which is 21 this year and to celebrate we have launched Alize Remixed, a national DJ tour and competition.

We are inviting aspiring DJs to upload a 10 minute mix onto www.alizeremixed.com with a mix of the best party tracks from the past 21 years, and a chance to win £1000 and to play alongside one of our headline DJs, which includes the likes of DJ Jazzy Jeff, Tim Westwood and Grand Master Flash.

We launched the tour in Birmingham in April with an amazing night where Jazzy Jeff worked his magic, and then went to Leeds with Tim Westwood. We are now heading to Manchester on August 22nd and then Bristol and finally the party to end all parties in London.

THE GREAT BRITISH BLACK MUSIC SINGALONG CONCERT

Friday June 27, 7-10pm. £free

BTWSC in association with Black Music Congress present a free, Arts Council Lottery Funded Roots To Branches concert aimed at all ages. Repertoire covers all forms of African based music, irrespective of genre or vintage.

Full live band with soul singer Noel McKoy, multi-instrumentalist Niles Hailestones, plus guest singers including lovers rock queen Janet ‘Silly Games’ Kay, and R&B/blues and rare groove icon Root ‘So Far Away’ Jackson.

Bridge Park Complex, Brentfield (Harrow Road), Stonebridge, London NW10 0RG (near Harrow Road/North Circular Road intersection; Stonebridge Park tube/overground).

Adults, come down memory lane with us, and also help school the youths!

£Free, family-orientated concert, but must pre-book on info@btwsc.com, www.btwsc.com.

Band includes Kenny Wellington (trumpet), Jean Toussaint (sax), Neville Malcolm (bass), Prince Samson (guitar), Jason (drums) Gozi (keyboards), Maya Sona Jobarteh (kora), Niles Hailstones (trumpet/vocals), Noel McKoy (lead/backing vocals/percussion), Tope (lead/backing vocals), Paul ‘Barry Boom’ Robinson (lead/backing vocals and KMT (DJ).

THE BLACK MUSIC RECORDS & AFRICAN CRAFTS FAIR VIII

Saturday June 30, 12.30-5.30pm. £Free

This is your space – use it to buy, sell, inform, network. Use the open mic periods to have your safe or show your talent. Family-friendly environment.

BUSINESS OF MUSIC SPECIALS ON LIFE FM 103.6

Monday June 23, 2-4pm & Midnight-8pm

Kwaku continues marking British Black Music Month 2008 with special BusinessOfMusic shows on Brent legal community station Life FM (www.lifefm.org.uk, 103.6 FM). On Monday June 16, the first hour was dedicated to the jazz music catalogue of Harrow-based Dune Records, with the label’s founders Janine Irons and Gary Crosby as studio guests. You can listen to podcast at: http://businessofmusic.mypodcast.com. See Dune Records competition at: http://www.britishblackmusic.com/index.php?option=com_resource&view=list&category_id=5&Itemid=31.

Monday June 23, 2-3pm: Soul, R&B, funk, blues and the odd soca from the catalogue of the catalogue of Congo Music, which has recently moved from Harlesden to Alperton. The company’s director and musician Root Jackson will be the studio guest (Root and Janet Kay are some of the special guest artists on The Great British Black Music Singalong Concert). Expect to hear material by the likes of Omar, FBI, Vannessa Simon, etc. 3-4pm: a mix of vintage British R&B, soul, and funk.

Monday June 23, Midnight-8pm: The Great British Black Music Mix Show: The Insomniac Session - live mix of all forms of styles and vintage, with artists and music industry interviews and call ins! If you’re an insomniac, listen live on www.lifefm.org.uk, 103.6FM, call in on 020 8963 9566, email: kwaku@lifefm.org.uk or text. If you’re listening, get engaged – dedications and requests allowed!

One reliable production assistant required for over-night show, with the possibility of working on future BusinessOfMusic programmes. Must be aged over 18. Contact Kwaku via editor@britishblackmusic.com. Subject: overnight assistant. Listen to attached promo.

BRENT BLACK MUSIC HISTORY PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION OPEN DAY

THURSDAY JUNE 26, 11AM-8PM

It will feature new photographs, local music history talks throughout the day by BBMHP leader Kwaku, networking, open mic, and Visions Of Africa poster display. Some free stocks of the BBMHP booklet and DVD will be available. The exhibition is in the Community Gallery in the corner of the ground floor of Brent Museum. The exhibition goes on till mid-November and is accessible 7 days a week, 11am-9pm. Willesden Green Library Centre, 95 High Road, Willesden, London NW10 2SF. For mor e information: info@btwsc.com 020 8450 5987 www.btwsc.com/projects.php?id=14&project=detail

BRITISHBLACKMUSIC.COM LATEST POSTINGS

The www.BritishBlackMusic.com website has had a recent redesign, which makes it easier than before to post your content and comments once you’ve registered.

Don’t forget to post your details in the Directory (under Music industry).

Latest postings in Competitions include Africa Oye T-shirts: http://www.britishblackmusic.com/index.php?option=com_resource&controller=article&article=290&category_id=5&Itemid=31, Lifefiorce Session July 4 tickets: http://www.britishblackmusic.com/index.php?option=com_resource&controller=article&article=264&category_id=5&Itemid=31, Releases/reviews; Asa live: http://www.britishblackmusic.com/index.php?option=com_resource&controller=article&article=294&category_id=4&Itemid=61, Natty live: http://www.britishblackmusic.com/index.php?option=com_resource&controller=article&article=291&category_id=4&Itemid=61, Features: Is Grime to blame? http://www.britishblackmusic.com/index.php?option=com_resource&controller=article&article=292&category_id=24&Itemid=64

RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE RADIO

In February 2007, the Black Music Congress (BMC) hosted a debate called 'To what Extent Does Music Influence Behaviour?’. The succesful event, which was filled to capacity with young people, social workers, media professionals, artists, politicians, parents and activists unanimously agreed that music has a significant effect on human behaviour. The forum ended with a resolution promoting acceptance of personal responsibility in what media consumers chose to purchase and listen to and a campaign calling for respectful, responsible radio in the UK (from ligali.org)

http://www.britishblackmusic.com/old/index.php?module=pagesetter&func=viewpub&tid=6&pid=37.

You can always adapt the copy below, if you wish to make a formal complaint.

Responsible, Respectful Radio Sample email or letter to radio station which can be modified as you deem fit

Dear

I write to complain about the song XXX (Name of song) by ( Name of artist if known) which was played on xxx (Name of station) on xxx (Date and Time)

News Source: BritishBlackMusic.com/Black Music Congress (BBM/BMC) and BTWSC.

Live to Tell (Tupak Shakur)

Whilst 13th September 2007 marks the 11th year since the passing of the cultural icon, poet, modern-day philosopher and last but certainly not least rapper, Tupac Shakur, a script written by Tupac whilst incarcerated in 1995 has been bought by Insomnia Media Group who plan to begin film production next March., although a cast has not as yet been chosen.

The story, entitled Live to Tell, is one of a charismatic young man at the dawn of adulthood who spirals down the wrong path in life and is brought into the underworld by his once trusted mentor, only to become one of the most powerful and feared kingpins in the city. Eventually his conscience gets the better of him and he is driven to self redemption in life... and love.

Tupac originally intended to star in the leading role himself, having written it in 1995, a time where his film career was building with roles in feature films such as "Poetic Justice", "Above The Rim," and his most noted role to date as a loose cannon named Bishop in the 1992 film, "Juice".

Although its been 11 years since Tupac's untimely death, his unrivalled talent lives on and it seems his lyrics and poetry are becoming more meaningful than ever for the youths of Britain today. We look forward to seeing what message his script writing will convey, as surely it will give us something to ponder in true Tupac style.

News Source: KrucialKontent

Whitney & Bobby Custody Battle

After their divorce last December, when Whitney Houston was granted sole custody of their daughter, Bobbi Kristina, Bobby Brown has taken Whitney back to court over custody arrangements, stating that Whitney is not letting him see his 14 year old daughter.

Brown has been quoted as saying "Don't be Cruel" and "Its my Perogative" (only joking), in fact he said "I just miss my daughter. The goal is to see her a lot more and to be involved in the decision making in her life, the places she goes, the people she hangs out with. All of that."

Brown hasn't had very good publicity lately either, what with the disaster of his reality TV show "Being Bobby Brown" and as one critic put it "If the eight-part series was intended to improve Brown's image, it fails miserably. Not only does it reveal Brown to be even more vulgar than the tabloids suggest, but it manages at the same time to rob Houston of any last shreds of dignity".

Bobby and Whitney will both have a chance to argue their child custody case at a hearing set for 22nd October.

News Source: KrucialKontent

The Mobo nominations are out and its time to get voting. Amy Winehouse is nominated in 4 categories and will go up against Beverley Knight, Corinne Bailey Rae, Jamelia and Joss Stone for Best UK Female.

Winehouse, the troubled "Rehab" singer has recently cancelled dates in her tour due to "health issues".

Others nominations include:

To vote for your favourites go to http://www.mobo.com/?page=016

News Source: KrucialKontent

After being charged with assault on August 14, stemming from an incident in which she allegedly smacked her neighbor in the face with her Blackberry and the following day being arrested for giving officers a fictitious name during a traffic stop, driving with a suspended license, and driving her Land Rover with a suspended registration, Foxy Brown has appeared in court and has been sentenced to a stay in prison for violating her probation.

Brown's bad bitch attitude landed her in trouble in February when she became involved in a dispute with a beauty shop owner. She allegedly spit on the owner as he attempted to close the shop and resisted an arresting officer who was called to the scene. At the time, the rapper was already on probation for a 2004 assault involving two manicurists in a Manhattan nail salon.

Brown, has now been thrown in the slammer until her next hearing, which takes place on September 5. Don't be sad for her though, after Paris Hylton's recent "holiday" in the cells, it seems prison is the new San Tropez.... and a criminal record as highly esteemed as a gold one.

During the court proceedings, Brown confirmed that she is pregnant and engaged to be married.

News Source: KrucialKontent

Meanwhile, the Anglican church of Jamaica has included Marley's "One Love" as an official hymn in an attempt to modernise their song book.

News Source: KrucialKontent

Meanwhile the loved up pair are said to have been to a Harley Street clinic for a 12 week scan and emerged grinning from ear to ear, with Harvey rubbing Javine's belly. Shame he's not rubbing his head wondering what could have possessed him to swap long-time girlfriend and loving wife Alesha for wannabe Javine???

News Source: KrucialKontent