Rufus Thomas, a renowned Rhythm and Blues and blues legend, was born on March 26, 1917, in Cayce, Mississippi. He embarked on his illustrious career in the 1930s as a comedian, entertaining audiences with the esteemed Rabbit Foot Minstrels. As the decades progressed, Thomas's talents expanded, and he became a disc jockey on Memphis' WDIA radio, one of the few black-owned stations of that era, in the 1940s.
Throughout his illustrious career, Thomas's talent shows had a profound influence on the careers of numerous Rhythm and Blues greats, including Ike Turner, Bobby Bland, and the legendary B.B. King. In the 1950s, Thomas recorded with the iconic Sam Phillips' Sun Records, and later, in the 1960s, he and his daughter Carla Thomas were integral members of the Stax label.
Thomas's most iconic hits were dance and novelty tunes, with "Walking the Dog" being one of his most enduring and beloved songs. As the 1970s brought about the rise of disco, Thomas adapted to the changing musical landscape, contributing the funky hit "Do the Funky Chicken".
