Died On This Date (August 13, 1982) Joe Tex / Early R&B Hit Maker

Joe Tex (Born Joseph Arrington)
August 8, 1933 – August 13, 1982

Joe Tex was an American soul singer and songwriter who is best remembered for his four hit singles in the ’60s and ’70s.  1965’s “Hold What You’ve Got” sold over a million copies and reached #5 on the Billboard singles chart.  His “Skinny Legs And All,” released in 1967 also sold more than a million copies, while 1972’s “I Gotcha” peaked at #2 on the pop charts.  And 1977, Tex released “Ain’t Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman),” his last sizable hit, which went to #12 on the charts.  He had a unique style of singing at the time, a preacher-style of talking over the songs – he called it “rap” and many music historians agree that it was one of the early foundations of rap and hip hop.  In the mid ’60s, Tex converted to the Muslim religion and changed his name to Yusuf Hazziez, and in the ’80s, he more or less retired from music and devoted his time to his religion.  Joe Tex died of after a heart attack at the age of 48.

 

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Joe Tex

Died On This Date (August 13, 1968) Joe Hinton / 1960s R&B Singer

Joe Hinton
November 15, 1929 – August 13, 1968

Joe Hinton was a gospel singer who began making non-secular soul music in 1958.  Over the next six years, he scored a handful of R&B hits which included, “You Know It Ain’t Right,” “I Want A Little Girl,” and a cover of Willie Nelson’s “Funny How Time Slips Away.”  Joe Hinton died of skin cancer at the age of 38.

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Joe Hinton

Died On This Date (August 13, 1971) King Curtis / Saxophone Legend

“King Curtis” Ousley
February 7, 1934 – August 13, 1971

King Curtis was a revered tenor saxophonist who, as a session man, played on hits by the likes of the Coasters, Aretha Franklin, and Buddy Holly.  His most famous playing can be heard on “Yakety Yak” by the Coasters.   He also released several albums on his own before his career was tragically cut short.  According to reports, Ousley was carrying an air conditioner up to his New York apartment during a sweltering heat wave.  En route, he was met by two men doing drugs who wouldn’t let him pass.  In the resulting scuffle, Juan Montanez fatally stabbed Ousley.  Sam Moore has claimed that he and Aretha Franklin witnessed the attack as they were arriving to visit Ousley.  Franklin and Stevie Wonder each performed at his funeral.

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King Curtis - Live At Fillmore West - King Curtis

Died On This Date (August 10, 2008) Isaac Hayes / Soul Legend

Isaac Hayes
August 20, 1942 – August 10, 2008

isaac-hayesIsaac Hayes was a Tennessee-born musician, singer, songwriter and producer who had a hand in some of the greatest soul songs ever produced.  Hayes began his music career as a session musician for Stax Records in Memphis where he began writing songs for the label’s roster of artists.  With songwriting partner, David Porter, Hayes co-wrote such R&B staples as “You Don’t Know Like I Know,” and “Soul Man,” which has been called one of the most influential songs of the 20th century.  By the late ’60s, Hayes started making his own albums, which included the monumental, Hot Buttered Soul, Black Moses, and most famously, the soundtrack to the blaxploitation film, Shaft!.    Then title song would become one of the most beloved songs of the era.  In later years, Hayes found a new audience as the voice of Chef in the popular animated series, South Park.  In 1998, “Chocolate Salty Balls” as performed on the show by Chef became a #1 hit in the UK.  And in 2002, Hayes was elected into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.  Isaac Hayes died of an apparent stroke after being found by his wife lifeless on the floor next to his treadmill which was still running.  He was 65 years old.

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Hot Buttered Soul (Remastered) - Isaac Hayes

Died On This Date (August 9, 2008) Charlie Adell / Veteran R&B Record Promoter

Charlie Adell
September 19, 1923 – August 9, 2008

Charlie Adell was a record promoter who specialized in R&B during his run which began when in the 1950s, Brunswick Records hired him to work records by Jackie Wilson, among others.   During the ’60s, Adell moved over to the legendary Stax Records where he worked with such acts as the Staple Singers and Isaac Hayes.  Later, he went to work for Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff at their Philadelphia International label, promoting the likes of the O’Jays and Wilson Pickett.  Charlie Adell passed away on August 9, 2008 at the age of 84.