They buried Isaac Hayes right here in Memphis yesterday. Since it was a private ceremony we only have the local fishwrap’s version of who attended. The burial was at Memorial Park Cemetery and it was reported that Tom Cruise, Denzel Washington, and Wesley Snipes attended were in attendance.
Today was the “tribute” service for IH. Originally it was reported it was going to be a “memorial” service which was going to have a Scientologist “minister” officiating. In order to accommodate both the size of the crowd (reported to be in the neighborhood of 2,000 people) and the audio/visual requirements the family rented Hope Presbyterian Church in Cordova (east Memphis). This prompted an outcry by a number of members of the Hope congregation citing their belief that Scientology is a cult. The leadership of Hope Pres tried to appease these members by calling the service a “tribute” rather than a “memorial”.
I could write an editorial at this point, but I’m not sure it would ever sway anyone on either side of this dispute. As such, I’ll keep moving.
One of the news organizations was able to obtain film of some of the speakers. Those who I have seen footage of speaking included:
- David Porter – IH’s songwriting partner at Stax
- Kelly Preston – Fellow Scientologist, actress, and wife of John Travolta
- Rev. Al Sharpton – Some Memphians would have traded his speaking for a Scientologist minister
- Craig Brewer – Noted director married to a Memphian and part-time resident. He directed and wrote Hustle & Flow and Black Snake Moan which were both filmed in this area.
- Princess Asie Ocansey of Ghana – Apparently IH founded a large orphanage in Ghana and was made an honorary prince.
- Jesse Jackson
- U.S. Representative Steve Cohen who suggested the airport should be renamed Isaac Hayes Memphis International Airport.
- Al Bell – Former Stax record executive
- Anne Archer – Noted actress and Scientologist
- Michael D. Roberts – actor and Scientologist
- Denzel Washington
- Tom Cruise
- Wesley Snipes
- John Singleton
- Chuck D.
- Bootsy Collins
- Maurice White – Founding member of Earth, Wind & Fire and a fellow Memphian
- U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander
Tags: Memphis, Isaac Hayes, Earth Wind and Fire, Stax Museum, Memorial Park Cemetery, Tom Cruise, Denzel Washington, Wesley Snipes, Hope Presbyterian Church, Cordova, David Porter, Kelly Preston, John Travolta, Al Sharpton, Craig Brewer, Hustle and Flow, Black Snake Moan, Princess Asie Ocansey, Ghana, Orphanage, Jesse Jackson, Steve Cohen, Memphis International Airport, Memphis Airport, Al Bell, Stax, Anne Archer, Michael D Roberts, John Singleton, Chuck D, Bootsy Collins, Maurice White, Lamar Alexancer
