Stars have been paying tribute to soul legend Isaac Hayes, who died at his home in Memphis on Sunday, aged 65.
Hayes' contemporaries Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick and Gloria Gaynor all paid tribute to the great American star who was found unconscious next to a treadmill at his home and was later pronounced dead in hospital.
Dionne Warwick described Hayes' 1969 cover of her hit 'Walk on By' as "definitive" while she also revealed that Hayes had penned the song 'Déjà Vu' as a birthday present for her.
Gloria Gaynor described Hayes as "a gentleman and an extremely warm and talented artist", who she "respected and admired", while Aretha Franklin also spoke about the loss of her friend.
Gaynor recorded Barry White's 'You're the First, the Last, My Everything' for Hayes in 1985 and added: "I will miss him and his contribution to the entertainment world and to humankind."
Speaking to 'Access Hollywood', Warwick said: "I've lost one of my best buddies and it is not easy to reckon with. I know one can never put a question mark where God puts a period [full stop], so I will not question the Almighty's decision to call him home. We all know when that call comes, we all will answer.
"Personally, my buddy will be missed for many reasons by me. He was 'family'. He will be a part of my musical life each time I sing the song 'Déjà Vu', as this was a birthday gift to me from him.
"His renditions of songs that I had recorded, especially 'Walk On By', in my opinion 'the definitive version', will always be another memory each time I sing it, and the humorous side that he showed few (that I knew so well).
"My family and I send sincere heartfelt condolences to his family for their enormous loss, and we will hold them in continuous prayer."
Timeless
Music legend Aretha Franklin told E!: "It was so sad to hear about Isaac Hayes. So musically advanced and timeless in his compositions. He was loved and appreciated by so many. He was an enduring symbol of the struggle of the African-American man and was a shining example of soul at its best. God bless."
Other stars who have paid tribute to Hayes include Elvis' wife and daughter Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley.
Speaking to 'Entertainment Tonight', Priscilla Presley said: "I am shocked. We have lost not only an incredible talent but a wonderful leader to his community and a dear friend.
"To me there will only be one Isaac Hayes, gifting us with years of performing, writing and a voice that penetrated deep into our souls. He is to be admired for changing his life around and standing steadfast to his beliefs, his integrity and to helping others... Isaac, you will be missed but never forgotten."
Lisa Marie Presley added: "Isaac was one of the more genuine and beautiful souls I have had the privilege to cross paths with and befriend in this life. He was an incredible friend.
"This is a tragic loss. My heart goes out to his wife and children. Wherever he is going to just became a brighter and more beautiful place, and I will miss him dearly."
Hayes won an Oscar for the 1971 hit 'Theme from Shaft', though in recent years he was perhaps best known to a younger audience as the voice of Chef from the hit cartoon show 'South Park'.
The cause of his death was not immediately known.
