Isaac Hayes, 1942-2008.

Didn't want this to get lost in the shuffle. "A depressing weekend for great black artists," as Cinema Blend notes.

From the BBC:

US singer-songwriter Isaac Hayes has died at his home in Memphis, Tennessee, at the age of 65.

Police were called after his wife found him unconscious next to a moving treadmill. He was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Hayes, a flamboyant, deep-voiced performer, won an Oscar for the 1971 hit "Theme From Shaft."

He was perhaps better known to a younger audience as the voice of Chef from the hit cartoon show, South Park.

The cause of death was not immediately known.

Also on the BBC: John Wooler recalls his friendship with Hayes.

The Village Voice reposts a recent conversation with Hayes.