Issac Hayes, who opened this year’s Celebrate Brooklyn on June 12th, was found dead yesterday next to the treadmill machine in the basement of his home. Here is the Celebrate Brooklyn blurb about this musical legend who had a big hand in inventing the 1970’s soul sound and was a major musical influence. He was 65 years old.

From the 60s soul and R&B of his Stax-Volt days to the 70s funk of Shaft to laying down the genetic blueprints for of both disco and rap, few artists approach Isaac Hayes’ overall influence on the evolution of American popular music. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame in 2002, the singer, musician, composer, and producer “has generated five decades of grooves.” – Rolling Stone Live in concert, prowling the stage in his signature wraparound shades, he remains as potent a force as ever.