Cohen Highlights Isaac Hayes' Induction Into the Library of Congress National Recording Registry
[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen today highlighted the induction of legendary Memphian Isaac Hayes’ Billboard chart-topping “Shaft” soundtrack into the Library of Congress National Recording Registry. A total of 25 recordings were inducted today into the registry, which preserves sound recordings as cultural, artistic and/or historical treasures, representing the richness and diversity of the American soundscape.
“Isaac Hayes was a dear friend and supporter and I miss him profoundly,” said Congressman Cohen. “He departed much too soon but today’s induction into the National Recording Registry underlines the remarkable legacy he left behind. His contributions to the artistic community, his years at the legendary Stax Records, and his appearance at Wattstax will not be forgotten. In helping calm frayed nerves in both Watts and Memphis after the riots of the 1960s and in so many other ways, Isaac Hayes served as an iconic role model for young African American males.”
Upon the passing of Isaac Hayes in 2008, Congressman Cohen memorialized the late artist on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives and helped shepherd H.Res.1425, a resolution honoring the artist’s life and music, through the chamber.
The Library of Congress included the following short description in today’s release announcing this year’s selections: “After several years behind the scenes as a writer and producer at Stax Records in Memphis, Isaac Hayes broke through as a solo artist with a series of albums that featured his lengthy, multi-layered compositions and distinctive speaking and singing styles. In 1971, after the Hollywood recording sessions for his soundtrack to "Shaft"—a groundbreaking film about an African-American private detective caught between the mob and the police—Hayes returned to Memphis and created this double album. Hayes enhanced and expanded his earlier work as he saw fit, and created a listening experience as innovative and exciting as the film itself, leading off with an unforgettable opening theme highlighted by Charles [Skip] Pitts’ wah-wah guitar and Hayes’s sexy banter with a female chorus.”
The National Recording Preservation Act of 2000 tasks the Librarian of Congress with selecting 25 recordings each year that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and are at least 10 years old. A full listing of this year’s selections is available here. This year’s selections for the registry bring the total number of recordings on the registry to 400, a small part of the Library’s vast recorded sound collection of more than 3.5 million items.
Nominations for selection were gathered through online submissions from the public and from the National Recording Preservation Board (NRPB) , which is comprised of leaders in the fields of music, recorded sound and preservation. The Library is currently accepting nominations for next year’s selections at the NRPB website (www.loc.gov/nrpb).