Photo: Unknown photographer / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Isaac Hayes is one of those rare figures whose influence outgrew his fame, and that's saying something for a man who won an Oscar, multiple Grammys, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. What moves me isn't the trophy shelf but the architecture of his sound: that hypnotic wah-wah groove of the Shaft theme essentially rewrote what film music could feel like. Behind the scenes at Stax with David Porter, he was a quiet engine of Southern soul. He passed in 2008, but his low, commanding voice and lush arrangements still shape how artists chase atmosphere today. A genuine giant.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Isaac Hayes
- Name (Japanese)
- アイザック・ヘイズ
- Reading
- あいざっく・へいず
- Born
- August 20, 1942 – August 10, 2008
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Leo / Horse
- Origin
- Covington, Tennessee, United States
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- Private
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- singer / actor / singer-songwriter / composer / film actor
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- Private
- University
- Private
Awards & achievements
- IAS Freedom Medal
- 1972 Academy Award for Best Original Song
- 1972 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score
- 1972 Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella
- 1973 Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance
- 2002 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
5. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Theme from Shaft | — |
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Isaac Hayes born?
August 20, 1942 – August 10, 2008.
Where is Isaac Hayes from?
Isaac Hayes is from Covington, Tennessee, United States.
What does Isaac Hayes do?
Isaac Hayes works as singer, actor, singer-songwriter, composer, film actor.
What is Isaac Hayes known for?
Notable works include Theme from Shaft.
Singer — see all → · Actor — see all → · More people from United States →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-16
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.