R&B singer Isaac Hayes dies at 65
MEMPHIS, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Soul music icon Isaac Hayes died Sunday at his home in Shelby County, Tenn., the sheriff's office said. He was 65.
Hayes, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and an Oscar- and Grammy-winning singer, composer and producer, was found unconscious next to a treadmill at his home about 1 p.m., The Commercial-Appeal newspaper in Memphis reported. Family members found him when they returned home from a shopping trip and called 911.
He was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead just after 2 p.m. A sheriff's office spokesman said a routine investigation would be conducted but there was no indication of foul play.
Hayes was born Aug. 20, 1942, in Covington, Tenn. With David Porter, he composed hits for Carla Thomas, Johnnie Taylor and Sam & Dave, who had hits with his tunes "Soul Man" and "Hold on I'm Comin.'"
He had success as a recording artist with the 1969 album "Hot Buttered Soul" and then won an Oscar and two Grammys in 1971 for his music for the movie "Shaft."
Hayes also enjoyed success as an actor, with a long-running role as Chef in the TV comedy "South Park" and roles in the movies "Escape from New York" and "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka."
He recently completed filming on "Soul Men," starring Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac -- who died Saturday at 50 -- as former singing partners.
Hayes was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005.
Random House won't publish Islamic novel
NEW YORK, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- The U.S. publishing giant Random House said its Ballantine Books won't publish as planned Sherry Jones's Islamic-themed historical novel "The Jewel of Medina."
The book was expected to hit stores Tuesday.
The New York Times quoted the company as saying it opted not to release the novel because it was afraid it "could incite acts of violence by a small, radical segment."
The publishing house had described the 432-page work of fiction as "a fascinating portrait of A'isha, child bride of the prophet Muhammad, who overcame great obstacles to reach her full potential as a woman and a leader."
However, Random House spokeswoman Carol Schneider told The Times the company requested the book's publication "be postponed indefinitely" after talking to experts and receiving unsolicited advice.
"We thought it was not a good time, with tensions running as high as they do, to publish this," Schneider said.
Hayden Panettiere's father arrested
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Alan Panettiere, the father of teen actress Hayden Panettiere, was arrested for alleged felony domestic violence at his family's Los Angeles home, police said.
Hayden Panettiere, who turns 19 later this month, is best known for her portrayal of cheerleader Claire on the supernatural TV drama, "Heroes." She previously had roles on the soap operas "One Life to Live" and "Guiding Light."
"There was a domestic argument between the mother and father," Sgt. Scott Wolf of the West Hollywood sheriffs told People.com of Monday morning's incident. "He got upset and struck the mother in the face one or two times on the left cheek, which caused some bruising. From what I'm told, he hit her with a closed fist. The mother called police shortly before 3 a.m., and Mr. Panettiere was taken into custody. He's been cooperative. Earlier, they were at a party and the husband apparently felt disrespected by his wife."
Wolf also told People.com Alan Panettiere was arrested on a felony rather than a misdemeanor charge because "there were visible signs of injury" on wife Lesley Vogel's face.
Wolf added Panettiere has not yet given his side of the story and is still in police custody, pending $50,000 bail.
Hayes and Mac co-star in 'Soul Men' movie
NEW YORK, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Isaac Hayes and Bernie Mac, both of whom died this past weekend, reportedly will soon be seen together in the new Hollywood movie, "Soul Men."
Singer-songwriter and actor Hayes died Sunday at the age of 65 after he was found lying unconscious near his treadmill.
Actor-comedian Mac died Saturday after a battle with pneumonia. He was 50.
Co-starring Samuel L. Jackson, the big-screen comedy, "Soul Men," was already filmed before two of its stars died. It is set to open in U.S. theaters Nov. 14, the New York Daily News said Monday.
Hayes plays himself, while Mac and Jackson portray fictional backup singers who reluctantly agree to a reunion, the Daily News said.
