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More than 'Shaft': Hayes was goldmine of influence

NEKESA MUMBI MOODY

In this July 27, 2001 file photo, Isaac Hayes reacts to the crowd of people at World of Music and Dance, a three-day festival of music, arts and dance, in Redmond, Wash. Isaac Hayes, the pioneering singer, songwriter and musician whose relentless "Theme From Shaft" won Academy and Grammy awards died Sunday Aug. 10, 2008. He was 65.

With its riveting orchestration, definitive guitar play and signature sensual baritone vocals, Isaac Hayes' theme song for the 1971 movie "Shaft" not only became one of pop music's iconic songs, but also the defining work of Hayes' career.

This handout image supplied by Comedy Central, shows the character of Chef, center, a cook at the elementary school voiced by Isaac Hayes in "South Park," with two other characters. Isaac Hayes, the pioneering singer, songwriter and musician whose relentless "Theme From Shaft" won Academy and Grammy awards died Sunday Aug. 10, 2008. He was 65.

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