Stax Profiles

Performer: Rufus Thomas
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Rufus Thomas (vocals); The Memphis Horns (horns); Marvell Thomas, Booker T. Jones (keyboards); Donald "Duck" Dunn (bass guitar); Ollie & the Nightingales (background vocals). The fact that ex-vaudeville entertainer and 1960s soul star Rufus Thomas is a direct link to the minstrel shows of the late-19th and early-20th century is perhaps best displayed in this entry in the STAX PROFILES series by his hit "Do the Funky Chicken," a dazzling blend of 19th century showmanship and late-'60s street funk. As well as perhaps his most famous hit, "Walking the Dog," other songs that illustrate Thomas's deep roots in R&B's distant past include the faux-Indian chants of his version of "Sixty Minute Man," and the rolling '50s R&B of "Strolling Beale Number 1."

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.

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