Rufus Thomas
Rufus C. Thomas, Jr. (March 26, 1917 – December 15, 2001) was an American rhythm-and-blues, funk, soul and blues singer, songwriter, dancer, DJ and comic entertainer from Memphis, Tennessee. He recorded for several labels, including Chess Records and Sun Records in the 1950s, before becoming established in the 1960s and 1970s at Stax Records. His dance records, including "Walking the Dog" (1963), "Do the Funky Chicken" (1969), and "(Do the) Push and Pull" (1970), were some of his most successful songs. According to the Mississippi Blues Commission, "Rufus Thomas embodied the spirit of Memphis music perhaps more than any other artist, and from the early 1940s until his death . . . occupied many important roles in the local scene."
He began his career as a tap dancer, vaudeville performer, and master of ceremonies in the 1930s. He later worked as a disc jockey on radio station WDIA in Memphis, both before and after his recordings became successful. He remained active into the 1990s and as a performer and recording artist was often billed as "The World's Oldest Teenager". He was the father of the singers Carla Thomas (with whom he recorded duets) and Vaneese Thomas and the keyboard player Marvell Thomas.
Break Down
- 2022-10-28T00:00:00.000000Z
Bear Cat
- 2020-10-05T00:00:00.000000Z
Funky Hits
- 2019-07-14T00:00:00.000000Z
Timeless Funk
- 2019-07-14T00:00:00.000000Z
Boom Boom
- 2018-12-13T00:00:00.000000Z
Early Years
- 2010-04-06T00:00:00.000000Z
Ugly Like Me
- 2008-06-17T00:00:00.000000Z
Rufus Live!
- 1998-03-01T00:00:00.000000Z
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