THE SOUL GUY

  

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.

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 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).

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.

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). By the 1980s he had withdrawn again from full-time performing.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 several rounds at Joe Tex.

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