Isaac Hayes (Finding Aid)

Isaac Hayes

1942 - 2008

Favorite Color: Red

Favorite Food: Soul Food

Favorite Time of Year: Summer

Favorite Vacation Spot: The Caribbean

Interview Length: 163 minutes

Interview Date(s): June 25, 2003

Interview Location(s): Memphis, Tennessee

Abstract

Entertainer Isaac Hayes speculates that his family's roots are in West Africa. In his travels, Africans thought him to be a 'Douala man,' or of an ethnic group from Cameroon. Hayes describes that the first generation in his family to be enslaved in the United States lived in Virginia. He recognizes, though, that for generations his family called Tennessee home. Somerville and Covington, Tennessee are the towns with which his family had the greatest connection. Hayes recalls that his grandmother told stories of her mother's enslavement and her subsequent reactions to the activities around the U.S. Civil War. Hayes's discussion of his mother reveals that her family were sharecroppers in the South. His mother died in a southern mental hospital before Hayes was two years old. In giving his father's background, Hayes describes that Isaac Hayes, Sr. left the family after the mother's death. Hayes, Jr.'s grandparents became guardians to him and his sister. Some time later, Isaac Hayes, Jr. shared an emotional reunio Entertainer Isaac Hayes describes that until the age of seven, he lived on a farm in Covington, Tennessee with his grandparents. Upon an uncle's urging, the family then moved to Memphis, Tennessee, an experience Isaac Hayes describes as 'culture shock.' The family relocated to New Chicago, a close-knit community in north Memphis, Tennessee. Isaac Hayes describes experiences that inspired his love of music, including his grandfather's singing around the home, Hayes's participation in myriad musical church events, and the music of the WDIA radio station out of Memphis. Isaac Hayes describes that he was nearly a straight A student, with a love of literature; nevertheless, he was held back a grade upon moving from a rural area to Memphis. Though an exceptional and well-rounded student, Hayes felt pressure to drop out of high school for several weeks. He cites his poverty and its concomitant shame as the cause. Teachers and family supported him and found a way for him to feel more comfortable in his school enviro Entertainer Isaac Hayes discusses many of the early jobs he held, including working as a chef and cleaning bricks for a construction company. In one such job, a white factory owner became a father figure and mentor to the young man. Isaac Hayes remembers one particular anecdote from his adolescence that taught him the power of doing the right thing. A second anecdote includes Hayes returning to his high school several years after graduation to pay for the school property that kept him from receiving his diploma. Hayes discusses some of his many early gigs, both in church and at venues in Tennessee. He discusses the lack of experience that he brought to his first band and their ability to win crowds over nevertheless. Hayes goes on to describe his early professional success, particularly in collaboration with other local musicians. He discusses his interest in the vocal aspect of music making. Particularly, he remembers the opportunity he had to demonstrate his vocal ability to an influential music business fi Entertainer Isaac Hayes remembers creating a look for his first major album cover. The featured photograph emphasizes his bald head, the most recognizable aspect of his signature look. Hayes discusses the events of 1968: his album's release and the monumental death of civil rights hero Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., an event that inspired Hayes to be proactive in his humanitarian efforts. Hayes describes his creative efforts in the studio during the making of his breakthrough album, 'Hot Buttered Soul.' He goes on to discuss the performance aspect of his career, including the role of his outrageous costumes in his live gigs. Hayes explains that a member of his security staff likened him to the biblical figure Moses upon seeing crowds' reactions to him. The serendipitous moniker, the 'Black Moses,' caught on internationally. Isaac Hayes lists his extensive discography. He then discusses the need for intergenerational communication and cooperation in the black community. Entertainer Isaac Hayes urges black people to take part in economic cooperation. Particularly, he stresses the need for black entertainers and athletes to reinvest in the black community. Hayes describes that a trip to slave dungeons in Ghana demonstrated to him the need for educational programs that venture beyond the Eurocentric paradigm. Hayes describes being welcomed into Ghanaian royalty; his speaking engagements, with their emphasis on Africa, caught the attention of a king. Hayes underwent rituals that resulted in his becoming a Ghanaian king as well. A tour of Ghana revealed the deplorable state of schools. Hayes describes being moved to fund-raise in the name of educational efforts in Africa. He then discusses his affiliation with Scientology, which he describes as an "applied religious philosophy." Hayes describes the philosophy's deep commitment to learning. Hayes remembers a lull in Hollywood's luster around the late 1960s and early 1970s. The success of 'Shaft,' a project for which he composed t Entertainer Isaac Hayes discusses the success of his musical score for the film 'Shaft' which garnered him an Academy Award in the Song of the Year category. In addition to his musical aptitude, Isaac Hayes has demonstrated a talent for acting; he's taken on several television and film roles which he names. Despite the breadth of his career successes, Isaac Hayes came across difficult financial times and had to file for bankruptcy. He describes the bankruptcy proceedings as flawed and exploitative. He was ultimately stripped of the rights to the music on which he had built his career. Isaac Hayes describes that a host of new projects allow him to rebuild what was lost. Hayes describes that his healthy lifestyle has kept him looking young and feeling cleansed. He lists several of his favorite musicians and remembers musician Barry White, a contemporary with whom he shared many similarities, including their smooth musical stylings. Hayes explains his hope that the black community will heighten its prospects th

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