Joe Tex

Yusuf Hazziez, born Joseph Arrington Jr. on August 8, 1935, was a prominent American singer-songwriter known professionally as Joe Tex. He made a significant impact on the music scene during the 1960s and 1970s with his unique blend of Southern soul, which incorporated elements of funk, country, gospel, and rhythm and blues.

Tex's musical journey began in earnest when he signed with King Records in 1955, following an impressive four wins at the Apollo Theater. However, the path to success was not immediate; he faced a challenging period from 1955 to 1964, during which he struggled to find chart-topping hits. It wasn't until 1964 that he finally achieved his breakthrough with the hit single 'Hold What You've Got,' after having recorded thirty unsuccessful singles.

Throughout his career, Joe Tex produced several million-selling hits, including 'Skinny Legs and All' in 1967, 'I Gotcha' in 1972, and 'Ain't Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman)' in 1977. His contributions to music earned him six nominations for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with the most recent nomination occurring in 2017.