Look Who it Was Random video

JOE TEX-takin' a chance

1,558 views · Published 2 January 2016 · 3:31 · Indexed 4 November 2026

Channel: pieroangelo2 · 2016 · Travel & Events

Watch on YouTube

Joe Tex's early career is emblematic of black musicians of his era. Raised in Texas, he began by singing in the church choir, then won talent shows, first in nearby Houston, then later at the famed Apollo Theater Amateur Night (which he won four times!). All of this activity got him signed to King Records in 1955, but the right combination of producer and song eluded him for a decade as he recorded over 30 sides on the Ace, Anna, Parrot, and Checker labels without scoring one hit. However, rising soul star James Brown had a hit with Tex' own "Baby You're Right" in 1962, which led to his signing with Dial.Dial set Tex up with the musicians in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, who were producing some of the hard, countryish soul that was beginning to find favor with audiences. Soon, borrowing on his own gospel experience and love of country storytelling, Tex began to score hits both preachy and comic on the R&B charts -- a feat even more impressive given that Tex was prone to writing and releasing six to seven singles a year!

Though too rough musically and lyrically for the pop charts, Joe was considered one of the soul giants of the day. His novelty-esque "Skinny Legs And All" became his biggest pop hit to date in 1967.

Later years:

Tex continued scoring hits by moving into the deeper waters of funk, including his biggest, 1972's outrageous smash "I Gotcha." Soon after, however, he converted to Islam, took the name Yusef Hazziez, and quit the business. He returned in 1975 after Elijah Muhammad died and the Nation of Islam movement gave him permission to record again; he made one more big splash with the disco joke "Ain't Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman)," but his run was mostly over.

More from this channel