Joe Tex (born Joseph Arrington Jr., Baytown, Texas, 8 August, 1933 — died 13 August 1982, Navasota, Texas) 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. Career Joe's 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 , 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