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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
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 OBITUARY 
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Singer Isaac Hayes Dead at 65

'Shaft' composer found unresponsive at home

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(Newser) – Legendary singer/songwriter Isaac Hayes, whose "Theme from Shaft" claimed Academy Awards and Grammys alike, died early today at the age of 65, reports WMC-TV in Memphis. Hayes' wife found him lying unresponsive next to a still-running treadmill at their Memphis home; attempts to revive him failed and he was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Foul play is not suspected.

Hayes made his breakthrough in 1969 with "Hot Buttered Soul," and sealed his legend 2 short years later with "Shaft." In the late '90s until recently, the soul legend won over a new generation with his recurring role as Chef on South Park. Hayes left the show in 2006 after it lampooned Scientology, his religion. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.

In this early 1970s file photo, Isaac Hayes is shown. Hayes, the singer, songwriter and musician whose
In this early 1970s file photo, Isaac Hayes is shown. Hayes, the singer, songwriter and musician whose "Theme From Shaft" won Academy and Grammy awards, has been found dead.   (AP Photo/60 Cycle Media, Norman Seeff)
Isaac Hayes performs at the Michigan State Fair in Detroit in 2002.
Isaac Hayes performs at the Michigan State Fair in Detroit in 2002.   (AP Photo/Paul Warner, File)
American musician Isaac Hayes in concert at the Shepherds Bush Empire, in west London, Friday Aug. 3 2007. (AP Photo)
American musician Isaac Hayes in concert at the Shepherds Bush Empire, in west London, Friday Aug. 3 2007. (AP Photo)   (AP Photo)
In this July 1, 1999 file photo, Isaac Hayes poses for a portrait in New York. Hayes died today at 65.
In this July 1, 1999 file photo, Isaac Hayes poses for a portrait in New York. Hayes died today at 65.   (AP Photo/Jim Cooper, File)
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ISAAC HAYES - SHAFT 2000   (BLACKCAESAR74TV)
Isaac Hayes | NYC @ Prospect Park | Jun 12th, 2008 | Shaft:Isaac Hayes in Brooklyn at Prospect Park on June 12th, 2008 performing Theme From Shaft for an estimated 8000 people strong crowd.   (unARTigNYC)

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