10/08/2025
In 1972, at the 14th Annual Grammy Awards, Isaac Hayes won two Grammys, one for Best Instrumental Arrangement for "Theme from Shaft" and one for Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special for Shaft. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q429AOpL_ds&t=4s
Isaac Hayes Died: August 10, 2008 (age 65 years), Memphis, TN.
The pioneering singer, songwriter, and actor began his career at Stax Records in the mid-60s, where he worked alongside David Porter to pen hits for Sam & Dave (including “Soul Man” and “Hold On, I’m Comin’”), Carla Thomas, and many others. By the turn of the 70s, however, Hayes was a star in his own right, who pushed soul and R&B to new heights though landmark albums like Hot Buttered Soul and Black Moses. His chart-topping score to 1971’s Shaft, meanwhile, broke barriers, as Hayes became the first Black artist to earn an Academy Award in a non-acting category (Best Original Song). In later years, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and multiple Grammy winner earned a new generation of fans through his voice-over work in the animated series, South Park.😎
In 2007, UK music mogul Anthony “Tony” Wilson died at the age of 57, following a battle with kidney cancer. Wilson, who was portrayed by Steve Coogan in the 2002 film 24 Hour Party People, was instrumental in putting the Manchester music scene on the map. Among his many roles, Wilson was a TV presenter, the co-owner of Factory Records (home to Joy Division, New Order, and Happy Mondays), an artist manager, and the founder of the city’s Haçienda Nightclub and Dry Bar. In 2000, Wilson was on the forefront during the rise of MP3s – launching one of the earliest digital music stores, Music33, three years ahead of Apple.🤓
On this day in 1970, Elvis Presley kicked off his“Summer Festival” at the International Hotel in Las Vegas (soon to be rechristened as the Las Vegas Hilton). The King’s rehearsals and first four days of shows were filmed for the documentary Elvis: That’s The Way It Is, released that November.😙
In 1963 a 13-year-old “Little” Stevie Wonder became the youngest singer to top the US pop charts with “Fingertips Part II.” The song would hold the No.1 spot for three weeks.😙
And in 1976, Elton John took the stage at Madison Square Garden for his first of ten sold-out nights at the New York City venue. Box office sales (totaling $1.25 million) would break a record previously held by the Rolling Stones.😍
