Who is the man . . .

'CAN YOU DIG IT?':  Strut back to the 1972 Academy Awards, held that year at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and you will find composer-performer Isaac Hayes giving one of the more memorable performances in Oscar telecast history . . ––– Draped in gold chains, the Black Moses parted smoke on the Oscar stage and lead funk and soul into the promised land of pop culture. Later that evening, Hayes' “The Theme from Shaft” won the Oscar for The Best Song of 1971 . . ––– LAO links to what may be the last interview with Hayes who was scheduled for year's Sunset Junction fest . . ––– The passing of Hayes at 65, and Bernie Mac, 50, (both whom will be in the November film release "Soul Men,") was a shock for many over the weekend. For both of them you have to say, in a deep baritone voice, 'Right On.'

Above: "The Theme from Shaft" performed live in Germany. After the jump, despite some satire from the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, the riffs of  "The Theme from Shaft" passes by the Brit wit.