Joe Tex

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Joe Tex (born Joseph Arrington Jr., in Baytown, Texas, on 8 August 1933; died in Navasota, Texas, on 13 August 1982) was an American soul singer most popular during the 1960s and 1970s. His style of speaking over music, which he called "rap," made him a predecessor of the modern style of rap music.

The professional career of this popular singer began onstage at the Apollo. He won first place in a 1954 talent contest and duly secured a record deal. Releases on King, Ace and the Anna labels were derivative and disappointing, but Tex meanwhile honed his songwriting talent. James Brown's version of "Baby You're Right" (1962) became a U.S. number 2, after which Tex was signed to Dial.

Although early releases showed promise, it was not until 1965 that Tex prospered, guided by Nashville producer Buddy Killen. Recorded at the FAME studio in Florence, Alabama and distributed by Atlantic on Killen's Dial record label, "Hold On To What You've Got" was a U.S. Top 5 hit. Others followed, namely "A Woman Can Change A Man", and "The Love You Save (May Be Your Own) which were both slow ballads. But a change in tempo also brought hits such as "S.Y.S.L.J.F.M. (The Letter Song) (1966), and "Show Me" (1967). "Skinny Legs And All" and "Men Are Getting Scarce" were also major hits, but the singer seemed unsure of his future direction. His last major hit of that time was "I Gotcha" in 1972, and it was then he decided to retire.

A convert to the Muslim faith since 1966, he changed his name to Yusuf Hazziez, and toured as a spiritual lecturer. He has a son, Ramadan Hazziez.

He returned to music in 1975 and two years later enjoyed a massive comeback hit with "Ain't Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman)". By the 1980s he had withdrawn again from full-time performing. He devoted himself to Islam, his Texas ranch and the Houston Oilers American Football team.

On 13 August 1982 he died following a heart attack, just days after his 49th birthday.

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