Joe Tex (born Joseph Arrington Jr, August 8, 1935 - August 13, 1982), was an American soul and disco singer-songwriter, most popular during the 1960s and 1970s leading the Joe Tex Band. His style of speaking over music, which he called rap, made him a predecessor of the modern style of music.
Joe Tex was born in Baytown, Texas. His professional career as a singer began onstage at the Apollo. He won first place in a 1954 talent contest and duly secured a record deal. Although his early releases on King Records (USA), Ace and the Anna Records labels were derivative and disappointing, Tex meanwhile honed his songwriting talent. James Brown's cover version of 'Baby You're Right' (1962) became a US number two hit, after which Tex was signed to Dial Records.
Although early releases showed promise, it was not until 1965 that Tex prospered, guided by Nashville, Tennessee record producer, Buddy Killen. Recorded at the FAME studios in Florence, Alabama and distributed by Atlantic on Killen's Dial record label, 'Hold On to What You've Got' was a US Top Five 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).
In the late 1960s, future blues legend bass guitarist W. C. Clark joined the Joe Tex Band. Clark had left his hometown of Austin, Texas where he thought the R&B scene had died. But during a tour with the band back through Austin, W.C. left Joe Tex and moved back to Austin, where he went on to develop his reputation as the Godfather of Austin Blues.
Meanwhile the singles 'Skinny Legs and All' and 'Men Are Getting Scarce' also became major hits for Joe Tex, 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. 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 By the 1980s he had withdrawn again from full-time performing.
A convert to the Muslim faith since 1966, he changed his name to Yusuf Hazziez and toured as a spiritual lecturer. He has two sons, Ramadan Hazziez and Jwaade Hazziez.
Joe Tex died at Navasota, Texas, following a heart attack just days after his 47th birthday.
