At the age of 65, Isaac Hayes has passed away. The sheriff's office in Memphis, Tennessee announced Sunday that Hayes was found unconscious beside his running treadmill machine at his home.
Paramedics at the scene attempted to revive the music superstar but he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival at hospital.
Hayes was a songwriter long before he started his solo career in 1967, writing for the likes of Otis Redding and Sam and Dave. His second album, the 1969 "Hot Buttered Soul" was a platinum record.
In 1971 he penned what could be his most famous music, the theme for the movie "Shaft." He won an Academy Award for the theme song along with Grammy awards for the best original score and movie theme.
Hayes won a third Grammy for the instrumental performance on his 1972 "Black Moses" album.
From the late 1990's until 2006 Hayes was a voice actor on the show "South Park" as the voice of Chef. He left the show after an episode that lampooned the Church of Scientology which he was a follower.
In 2002 Hayes was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
He leaves behind his fourth wife, Adjowa, 12 children, 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
