Tribute To An Immortal-- Issac Hayes, Soul Music In The Flesh...

 I apologise to you, my Apsense family... I'm just not that good at writing about the "death " of someone that I feel is an Immortal, so please grade me "On the curve " for this one...

 I met Mr. Issac Hayes way back in 1977 when I was an assigned to escort him at a music shop appearance.

 He was in town to autograph copies of his latest album and to shake a few lucky hands with his (seemingly) dwindling fan base-- His brand of ear pleasing " Hot Buttered Soul" music had been hit hard by the competing genres of  Disco club music, and the ear killing howls and growls of stadium oriented "Rock and Roll" mania. 

 His new album was a "Comeback " attempt after a series of personal difficulties and project failures, including a 6 million dollar debt fight with Stax Records:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Hayes

 Oddly, back in the late 60's and early 70's, newspapers and magazines were the main sources for such news and gossip, and most radio and TV newscasts only brushed over "Celebrity " type news at prime time...

 This meant that a lot of the details about a particular celebrity's troubles might go unnoticed, and the only reference to that celebrity might have been whatever they created and presented to the public...

 I was only thinking about the powerfully touching music of this genius of a man when I scored the assignment to escort him...

 My partner for the job was a guy who loved to play guitar, and he said that he had driven himself nearly crazy trying to learn the "Boom Chicka WA WA" guitar style of older 70's soul, and he also thought that Isaac Hayes was worthy of world wide worship for producing the music to the movie Shaft back in 1971.

 That soundtrack was unforgettable, and if you get it going inside your head, you'll have a dickens of time getting rid of it! :)

 Most celebs back then had a personal body guard or two and I expected an "Advance " guy to come in and let me know when our "Job " was ready...

 Instead, Mr Hayes walked into the mall all by himself, which surprised the hell out of me and my partner... We had to walk him though a crowd of thousands of shoppers and remain as subtle as possible until we had him safely inside the record shop...

 Of course, our "Men In Black " attire would provide the perfect cover for Mr. Hayes' shoulder to ankle white fur maxi coat, that was also unbuttoned to reveal his bare chest and gold chains ( Mr. T, you are a piker), now wouldn't it?

 Within 60 seconds after Mr. Hayes' surprise appearance, we had to call for backup...

  Somehow, most Female "Mall Bunnies" of every type must have recieved the "Sniff Out A Celeb" gene, and suddenly we were surrounded by a gang of screaming, crying, Estrogen-laden fans of all ages... Mr. Hayes simply spoke the words "Be cool, Y' all " and I knew that everything was going to be OK, as the crowd went calm.

 Amazing what his voice could do.. Everything went very well after that, and I must say that this was one of the most enjoyable gigs that I ever had...

 I will remember the smile on Mr. Hayes' face for the rest of my days on Earth! :)