JOE TEX

Joe Tex was an American soul 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 U.S. number 2 hit, after which Tex was signed to Dial Records.

The singles "Hold On To What You've Got", A Woman Can Change A Man", "The Love You Save (May Be Your Own)", "Show Me", "Skinny Legs And All", and "Men Are Getting Scarce" 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.

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.

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), which reached U.S. #12. By the 1980s he had withdrawn again from full-time performing.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.

Tex had a feud with James Brown after James Brown took his wife, Bea Ford as well as the report that James Brown took his dance moves. Similarities do exist in their dance moves. He then wrote a song called "You Keep Her." They shared a few more shows together until Tex mocked James Brown's act of throwing a cape over his shoulder and screamed "please - get me out of this cape" James Brown later fired a gun at a nightclub belonging to Joe Tex.

Joe Tex died at Navasota, Texas, following a heart attack, just days after his 49th birthday.  (wikipedia)

I Gotcha

Skinny Legs And All

Show Me

I Want To (Do Everything For You)

Skip A Rope

If Sugar Was As Sweet As You  (1966)

Ain't Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman)  (1977)