AllMusic

New Releases
  • Featured New Releases
  • Editors' Choice
  • All New Releases
Discover
  • Genres  ›
  • Moods  ›
  • Themes  ›
  • Blues
  • Classical
  • Country
  • Electronic
  • Folk
  • International
  • Jazz
  • Latin
  • New Age
  • Pop/Rock
  • Rap
  • R&B
  • Reggae
  • Stage & Screen
  • All Genres
  • Aggressive
  • Bittersweet
  • Druggy
  • Energetic
  • Happy
  • Hypnotic
  • Laid Back/Mellow
  • Melancholy
  • Passionate
  • Romantic
  • Sad
  • Sentimental
  • Sexy
  • Trippy
  • All Moods
  • Background Music
  • Celebration
  • Cool & Cocky
  • Drinking
  • Hanging Out
  • In Love
  • Introspection
  • Late Night
  • Partying
  • Rainy Day
  • Relaxation
  • Road Trip
  • Romantic Evening
  • Sex
  • All Themes
Articles
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Lists
  • Streams
  • Videos
  • All Posts
Recommendations
My Profile
Advanced Search
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • RSS
Rufus Thomas
photo credit: Dan Stringfellow

Active

1930s - 2000s

Born

March 26, 1917 in Cayce, MS

Died

December 15, 2001 in Memphis, TN

Genre

R&B Blues

Styles

Memphis Soul Soul Southern Soul Early R&B Electric Memphis Blues Funk Modern Electric Blues Regional Blues

Also Known As

Rufus Thomas, Jr.
Submit Corrections

Rufus Thomas

Biography by Richie Unterberger

+ Follow Artist

The Crown Prince of Dance; an early rock & roll DJ, Memphis soul icon, and creator of the Funky Chicken.
Read Full Biography

  • Overview ↓
  • Biography ↓
  • Discography ↓
  • Songs ↓
  • Credits ↓
  • Related ↓

Share on

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • tumblr

Album Highlights

  • Walking the Dog
    Rufus Thomas
    Walking the Dog
  • Do the Funky Chicken
    Rufus Thomas
    Do the Funky Chicken
  • Did You Heard Me?
    Rufus Thomas
    Did You Heard Me?
  • Funky Chicken
    Rufus Thomas
    Funky Chicken
  • That Woman Is Poison!
    Rufus Thomas
    That Woman Is Poison!
  • The Best of Rufus Thomas: Do the Funky Somethin'
    Rufus Thomas
    The Best of Rufus Thoma …
See Full Discography

Related Artists

  • B.B. King
    Influenced by
    B.B. King
  • Ike Turner
    Influenced by
    Ike Turner
  • Bobby "Blue" Bland
    Influenced by
    Bobby "Blue" Bland
  • Johnnie Taylor
    Similar to
    Johnnie Taylor
  • Sam & Dave
    Similar to
    Sam & Dave
  • Otis Redding
    Similar to
    Otis Redding
See All Related Artists

Artists Moods

  • Amiable/Good-Natured
  • Celebratory
  • Playful
  • Boisterous
  • Bravado
  • Humorous
  • Rowdy
  • Earthy
  • Energetic
  • Exuberant
  • Raucous

Artists Themes

  • Maverick
AllMusic  |  AllMovie  |  SideReel  |  Celebified
About  |  FAQ  |  Feedback  | 
Advertise
  |  Copyright Policy  |  Privacy Notice  |  Terms of Service  |   New Releases Newsletter  |   Remove Ads
©2021 AllMusic, Netaktion LLC  |  
All Rights Reserved