Friends, Family Pay Tribute to Isaac Hayes

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – About 3,000 fans and friends attended a memorial service for Isaac Hayes on Monday, remembering the soul musician for his music, movies and humanitarian work that included building a school in Ghana.

The deep-voiced soul singer died Aug. 10 after he was found unconscious at his Memphis residence. No autopsy was performed, but paperwork filed by Hayes' family doctor, David Kraus, lists the cause of death as a stroke.

"He was a lovely man, always involved with causes," civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson said before the service. "Literacy, civil rights. He was always there, and that's why we're all here for him."

Jackson was among the speakers that also included civil rights leader Al Sharpton and actresses and fellow scientologists Anne Archer and Kelly Preston.

Richard Roundtree, who starred in the 1971 movie "Shaft," whose theme song was penned and performed by Hayes, was there, as was David Porter, Hayes' co-writer.

Denzel Washington, Tom Cruise and Wesley Snipes attended a private service Sunday.

The Monday service began with a drum march through the sanctuary and a video clip of Hayes and Jackson on stage together at a concert in the Watts area of Los Angeles in 1972. Jackson pulled off Hayes' cap to reveal his signature shaved head, then Hayes slipped off his robe to show his red spandex pants and chain vest.

As for his music, Hayes crafted songs with Porter that became cultural touchstones, including Sam & Dave's "Soul Man" and "Hold On! I'm Comin'." Their sound was a gritty Southern counterpart to Motown hits coming from Detroit.

Later, his "Theme From Shaft" won both Academy and Grammy awards, and he was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He appeared in a number of films, including "Escape from New York" and provided the voice for Chef in the TV comedy series "South Park."

Doug E. Fresh, a rapper and record producer, said outside the church that Hayes' music directly influenced rap and hip-hop.

"Hip-hop wouldn't be what it is without Isaac Hayes," Fresh said.