Seems a bad news day for reporting deaths, but late this afternoon I discovered that legendary voice of Chef on Southpark has passed on.
In 1971, the theme from “Shaft” topped the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks and won an Academy Award for best original theme song. The song and the movie score also won Grammy awards for best original score and movie theme.
A known Scientology member, he quit Southpark when he discovered the show would be making fun of Scientology. I guess making fun of everything else is ok as long as they don’t hit on something you like. But it was his call and I respect the guy for making a stand even if I don’t fully agree with his reasoning.
Before Southpark, Hayes was best known for arranging the theme for 1971’s Shaft (not the newer remake) and won a Grammy for his 1972 “Black Moses” album title track.
As a tribute, I now present to you the theme to Shaft from 1971.
ALso, the most hilarious song from Southpark Chef ever delivered Chocolate Salty Balls.
