This plain sucks! This guy was a very important musician/composer, far more than the voice of "Chef" on Southpark or the guy who sang "Shaft". He was a very important part of Stax Records' history.
The irony is awful. I was working in the garage on the car today and had the Shaft soundtrack playing. Gosh!
The theme from "Shaft" and "Hey Big Brother" used to receive a lot of radio airplay here in the states.
Both numbers were released during the same time period.
At first, it was very hard to tell either song apart from one another-At least during the first few seconds of each song.
When the first few notes of either song would hit the airwaves a friend and I would turn to each other and say::"Shaft" -no- "Big Brother" or visa versa.
Up until this very day when ever I hear either song, I can't help but recall the good old days when my friend and I would compete with one another calling the correct song.
That old friend of mine passed away nine years ago. And now Isaac has left us on my old friend's birthday.
Thanks for the memories Isaac and RIP. Your life will be remembered in your music, which will live on forever.
Theme from Shaft is a song that I never tire of hearing. That wah wah guitar is just soooo funky. I'll never understand why I didn't buy the record at the time. Well, I suppose it was because I was still at school and didn't have enough money. Anything I had leftover from my paper delivery money went on Rare Earth records or Chairmen of the Board (which unbeknown to me at the time featured a young session guitarist called Ray Monette).
I often thought of buying Hot Buttered Soul or Black Moses but I wasn't sure whether I'd like them or not. A work colleague was telling me only recently that these are two of his favourite albums of all time.
Isaac's passing has been featured very heavily on the news here in the UK and as a tribute they have been playing Theme from Shaft and talked of him as being one of the top 10 soul legends of all time.
