Joe Tex – Biography, Songs, Albums, Discography & Facts

Joe Tex Biography

Yusuf Hazziez, born Joseph Arrington Jr. and better known by his stage name, Joe Tex, was an American singer and musician who rose to prominence in the 1960s and 1970s with his brand of Southern soul, which blended funk, country, gospel, and rhythm & blues. ‘I Gotcha’ and ‘I’ll Never Do You Wrong’ are two of his most well-known songs.

He was the first Southern soul artist to have a pop success (“Hold What You’ve Got,” which reached number five on Billboard in 1965). His jackleg preacher style, with its raspy voice, established the groundwork for some of rap’s most fundamental elements. Although his tracks were more likely than those of most soul musicians to become crossover hits, he is possibly the most underappreciated of all the ’60s soul performers associated with Atlantic Records.

Joe Tex was born in Rogers, Texas, on August 8, 1935. Following four wins at the Apollo Theater, he was signed to King Records in 1955, and his career began. He struggled to find hits between 1955 and 1964, and by the time he eventually got his first hit, “Hold What You’ve Got,” in 1964, he had already released 30 singles that were chart failures. His four million-selling successes were “Hold What You’ve Got” (1965), “Skinny Legs and All” (1967), “I Gotcha” (1972), and “Ain’t Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman)” (1977). Joe Tex has been nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame six times, the most recent of which was in 2017.

He has had 27 songs in the Top 100 Hot Billboard, 9 of which made it to the top 40, and 3 made it to the top 10. His song “I Gotcha” topped the second on the chart and remained there for 21 weeks.

Tex’s work has been covered by a number of different artists. “Show Me” was covered by the Foundations. I Want To (Do Everything for You)” was covered by The Raelettes and UK hard rock band Nazareth, and Phish played “You Better Believe It Baby.

In 1966, he converted to Islam and took the name Yusuf Hazziez, touring as a spiritual lecturer.

Eartha Doucet and Leslie Arrington were his two daughters, and Joseph Arrington III, Ramadan Hazziez, Jwaade Hazziez, and Joseph Hazziez were his four sons.

Tex suffered from addiction during the last four years of his life, according to his longtime producer, Buddy Killen, despite having lived a life free of drugs and alcohol for the majority of his life. He appeared gaunt and unwell in his final performances as a member of the Soul Clan, and Killen claimed that Tex had “lost his will to live.”

Tex was discovered in the bottom of a swimming pool at his home in Navasota in early August 1982, after which he was revived at a hospital and returned home.He died five days after his 47th birthday, on August 13, 1982, at Grimes Memorial Hospital in Navasota, after suffering a heart attack.

Joe Tex Discography

He Who Is Without Funk Cast the First Stone SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Rub Down SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Another Man’s Woman SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Bumps & BruisesSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
From the Roots Came the Rapper SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Spill the Beans SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Joe Tex With Strings and Things SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Happy Soul SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Buying a Book [Atlantic] SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
You Better Get ItSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Soul Country SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Live and Lively SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
I’ve Got to Do a Little BetterSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
The Love You SaveSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
The New Boss SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Hold on to What You’ve Got SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who Recorded First Joe Tex ?

Joe Tex was an American singer and musician. He is best known for his singles “I Gotcha” and “Skinny Legs and All”. According to the Joe Tex Discography, he first recorded in 1955 for Ace Records. In 1960, he signed with Dial Records and released his first album, “The Love You Save”.

What Kind Of Music Did Joe Tex Play?

Joe Tex played a wide variety of music, including country, blues, soul, and gospel. He was known for his unique style and powerful vocals.

When Released Joe Tex – Hold What You’Ve Got Song?

The song was released in 1965.

Most Searched For Joe Tex Songs

I gotchaSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Ain’t gonna bump no moreSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
The love you saveSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
show meSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Hold what you have gotSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon