Rufus Thomas
The Crown Prince of Dance, Rufus Thomas is one of the most significant figures in Memphis music history, and is also an important contributor to the development of early rock & roll, classic Southern soul, and funk. Thomas began singing in the 1940s and made his name as a radio DJ in Memphis before recording the classic Sun Records side "Bear Cat." Thomas signed on with the legendary Stax Records in the early '60s where he released a series of fun yet hard-hitting soul records, many of which--"Do the Funky Chicken," "Do the Penguin," "Walking the Dog"--were directives for the latest dance crazes. Although Thomas was a genial entertainer, he was also one mean soulster, a reputation he upheld dutifully until his death in 2001.
Listen to Rufus Thomas
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Albums
- (2007) The Very Best Of Rufus Thomas
- (2006) Stax Profiles: Rufus Thomas
- (2006) Funkiest Man Alive
- (2005) Walking The Dog
- (1998) Memories
- (1979) Chronicle: The Greatest Stax Hits
Top Tracks
- Walking The Dog
- Do the Funky Chicken
- The Breakdown
- Sixty Minute Man
- Do the funky Penguin
Related Artists
- Isaac Hayes
- Otis Redding
- Memphis Slim
- Peter Stein
- Summertime Blues Band
- B-Team Blues Band
- Linda and Jessica Storey with the Alleluia Blues
- Rock Bottom Blues
- Lenny McDaniel
- Chris Belleau and the Zydeco Hounds
- The Oozie Blues
- SaNa
- Ed Maly
- The New Vintage Blues Band
- Charlie O. and The Houserockers
- Danny Moon
- Darrell Mansfield
- Darren "Deicide" Kramer
- Debbie Henning
- Dendee
Fans