Noticias

Nashville, Tenn. — Charles "Skip" Pitts, the longtime Memphis guitar player for Isaac Hayes whose distinctive sound helped define soul and make "Shaft" cool, has died. He was 65.

Tim Sampson, communication director with the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, said Pitts died Tuesday in Memphis after a long struggle with cancer.

Pitts was responsible for the unforgettable wah-wah pedal guitar sound on Hayes' "Theme from Shaft," the `70s Blaxploitation film that remains a memorable moment in American popular culture – mostly due to the enduring popularity of the song. Pitts' 1971 riff was angry and bristling with menace, capturing a dangerous vibe that transcended the screen and translated to the streets of a tense nation.

He also was responsible the guitar line from The Isley Brothers' "It's Your Thing," also a distinctive, influential moment in American music.

Schooled by neighbor Bo Diddley while growing up in Washington, D.C., Pitts first...

It's a sad, sad day here at MTV News. Even as we all recover from last night's Movie Awards, we're forced to confront the cold, harsh reality of another talented artist leaving us too soon. Marvin Isley, The Isley Brothers' bass player, died yesterday in Chicago at the age of 56.

The Isley Brothers were one of the premiere pop funk-soul groups of the '70s, responsible for a range of hits that include "It's Your Thing," "That Lady," "Between the Sheets" (which Notorious B.I.G. famously sampled for Big Poppa) and, of course, "Shout," among many others. They've released more than 30 albums since "Shout!" debuted in 1959. What's more, many of those songs have gone on to put in memorable movie appearances. I've embedded my very favorite, a true classic, after the jump. R.I.P., Marvin... you will be missed.

To be fair, this rendition of "Shout" comes from Otis Day & the Knights,...

Marvin co-wrote 'Fight the Power' with his brothers in 1975.

By Gil Kaufman

Marvin Isley

Photo: Gab Archive/ Redferns

Marvin Isley, bass player for the legendary funk band the Isley Brothers, died of undisclosed causes in Chicago on Monday (June 7) at age 56, according to the Chicago Tribune's ChicagoNow.com blog.

Marvin Isley was not a member of the original band comprising older brothers O'Kelly Jr., Rudolph and Ronald, who scored hits with the songs "Twist and Shout," "It's Your Thing" and "Shout." Marvin joined the group in 1973 along with brother Ernie and brother-in-law Chris Jasper.

The new six-member lineup debuted with 1973's 3+3, which contained such Am soul classics as "That Lady,  Pt. 1 & 2" and "What It Comes Down To."

The group continued to have chart success throughout the decade with hit songs like "Fight the Power" and "Between the Sheets," many of which were co-written by Marvin and the other two younger members.

In five short days, the four remaining contestants of American Idol's ninth season will hit the stage and tackle "Songs of the Cinema" under the watchful eye of guest mentor Jamie Foxx. Still, judging from the list of 34 potential genre tracks Idol has posted on iTunes (and listed after the jump), the theme could just as easily be called Tragic Treacle Week. I mean, come on now, how are these cats supposed to sound "current" or "relevant" tackling tracks like "Eye of the Tiger" or "Beauty and the Beast" or that Tina Turner jam with the word "Thunderdome" in it?...

What should the "American Idol" Top 10 sing for the R&B/Soul week? Make your picks here.

Even though Usher kinda spilled the "Idol" mentoring beans over the weekend, it was officially announced during the Wednesday, March 24 results show that he would be mentoring the Top 10 for R&B/Soul week.

We love that R&B/Soul reaches way back into Motown because some of the non-Michael Lynche singers need some oldies thrown in there.

The song list is available here, but here is the whole list:

  

    * A Song For Momma - Boyz II Men

    * Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Diana Ross

    * Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

    * Ain't Too Proud to Beg - The Temptations

    * Angel of Mine - Monica

    * At Your Best You Are Love - Aaliya

    * Baby I Need Your Loving - The Four Tops

    * Back At One - Brian McKnight...