10 Most Heated Music Industry Feuds Of All Time
6. James Brown Vs. Joe Tex
Most music feuds tend to revolve around either hip-hop or metal artists, genres know for embracing the more aggressive sides of life. Very few people would expect a soul musician, it’s late, beloved Godfather, no less, to take such a violent disliking towards one of his peers.
But that’s exactly what happened back in the 1950s, when James Brown attempted to shoot fellow singer Joe Tex, all because of some dance moves. The story goes that Brown had accused Tex of plagiarism, specifically stealing his signature microphone kick. This, as well as growing resentment due to Brown’s recruitment of Tex’s ex-wife as a backing singer, led to one of the first ever diss tracks: Joe Tex’s ‘You Keep Her’.
After Tex opened up a set by making fun of Brown’s signature cape – wearing his own and screaming “Please! Somebody help me get out of this cape” – JB allegedly followed Joe to an after-show, whereupon he proceeded to fire a shotgun at innocent civilians , injuring a few in the process. According to witnesses, Tex fled through the back of the bar, while Brown’s entourage handed out $100 bills to the bar’s patrons.