Charles 'Skip' Pitts

Guitarist behind the 'wacka wacka' sound on Isaac Hayes's Theme from ShaftThe film Shaft was notable for inaugurating the blaxploitation genre in Hollywood, winning an Oscar in 1972 for best original song. Composed by Isaac Hayes, Theme from Shaft – used in the film's opening sequence – featured an insistent and relentless "wacka wacka" guitar figure played by Charles "Skip" Pitts, who has died from cancer aged 65.Directed by Gordon Parks, the film told the story of a black private detective...

Read full article Share article