Rough beginnings Isaac Hayes in performance, circa 1970. Born in Covington, Tenn., in 1942, Hayes began singing at an early age, performing at his local church. Hayes lost both his parents when he was an infant, and he was raised by his grandparents. He picked cotton, and taught himself to play the piano.
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Isaac Hayes: Life in pictures

Rough beginnings Isaac Hayes in performance, circa 1970. Born in Covington, Tenn., in 1942, Hayes began singing at an early age, performing at his local church. Hayes lost both his parents when he was an infant, and he was raised by his grandparents. He picked cotton, and taught himself to play the piano.

Rough beginnings

Isaac Hayes in performance, circa 1970. Born in Covington, Tenn., in 1942, Hayes began singing at an early age, performing at his local church. Hayes lost both his parents when he was an infant, and he was raised by his grandparents. He picked cotton, and taught himself to play the piano. (Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images)

No slump in sight Hayes turned out two albums in 1970, “The Isaac Hayes Movement” and “To Be Continued.” The former was a hit -- and no less challenging, rearranging works from the Beatles, Jerry Butler and Burt Bacharach. Hayes’ solo work was more atmospheric and experimental than much of the music he co-wrote with David Porter. In a 2001 interview with The Times, Hayes said, “That’s where I was all along, when I was playing music just for me and myself. But I had to make the dollar, and Sam & Dave created a lot of money for Dave [Porter] and me. I gained a lot of experience doing that stuff, so when the time came for me to do my own thing, hey, I was ready.”

No slump in sight

Hayes turned out two albums in 1970, “The Isaac Hayes Movement” and “To Be Continued.” The former was a hit -- and no less challenging, rearranging works from the Beatles, Jerry Butler and Burt Bacharach.

Hayes’ solo work was more atmospheric and experimental than much of the music he co-wrote with David Porter. In a 2001 interview with The Times, Hayes said, “That’s where I was all along, when I was playing music just for me and myself. But I had to make the dollar, and Sam & Dave created a lot of money for Dave [Porter] and me. I gained a lot of experience doing that stuff, so when the time came for me to do my own thing, hey, I was ready.” (Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images)

More film work Hayes pulled double duty in the blaxpoitation films “Three Tough Guys” and “Truck Turner” in 1974, and then became wrapped up in a bitter royalty dispute with Stax Records. Hayes eventually won release from his contract and formed his own label, Hot Buttered Soul. He filed for bankruptcy in 1976.

More film work

Hayes pulled double duty in the blaxpoitation films “Three Tough Guys” and “Truck Turner” in 1974, and then became wrapped up in a bitter royalty dispute with Stax Records. Hayes eventually won release from his contract and formed his own label, Hot Buttered Soul.

He filed for bankruptcy in 1976. (Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images)

Comebacks Hayes was able to stage numerous comebacks throughout his career. In the late '70s, he had some success working with Dionne Warwick, and moved into disco/funk with hits “Zeke the Freak” and “Don’t Let Go.” But by the end of the decade, Hayes was becoming increasingly more interested in acting. He remade his career as an actor and appeared in a number of films, including “Escape From New York,” “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka” and “ Robin Hood: Men in Tights.”

Comebacks

Hayes was able to stage numerous comebacks throughout his career. In the late ‘70s, he had some success working with Dionne Warwick, and moved into disco/funk with hits “Zeke the Freak” and “Don’t Let Go.”

But by the end of the decade, Hayes was becoming increasingly more interested in acting. He remade his career as an actor and appeared in a number of films, including “Escape From New York,” “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka” and “ Robin Hood: Men in Tights.” (Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images)

Isaac Hayes: 1942-2008 The soul legend was found dead by a family member on Aug. 10, 2008.

Isaac Hayes: 1942-2008

The soul legend was found dead by a family member on Aug. 10, 2008. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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