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. Recorded at Fame and distributed by Atlantic, "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By the 1980s he had withdrawn again from full-time performing.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.
