Rufus Thomas - Walking The Dog (1964)

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. He is best known for his novelty dance records, including "Walking the Dog" (1963), "Do the Funky Chicken" (1969) and "(Do the) Push and Pull" (1970). 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."[4]
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. - Wikipedia

Shared for historical purposes. I do not own the rights.

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[edmundhudson]

It's amazing that Rufus was over 50 years old when he had some of his biggest hits. Never give up doing what you love!

[TheJameskidwell]

I did 2 weeks with Rufus Thomas in San Antonio back in 1983.He was 66 at the time I believe and singing and dancing great.We hung out and ate at the Dennys every night.We had a great time.one night we played some blues and I played a nice solo that he really dug.When nobody clapped he went off on the audience and said, "What's the matter with yall, the boy can play!"..A couple of weeks after the gig I spoke to him in Memphis, which is where my folks lived as well, and found out my Dad had looked him up in the phone book and called him about me..He told me "I put you up on the top shelf".That was the only thing ever that made my Dad relent a little bit in his opposition to my music pursuits...Thanks RT

[essiejames]

Mr.Rufus Thomas had the top dance songs back in the day i am 71in 2024 loved his music and dances 💃 ❤️

[mrmaxxx]

RUFUS Thomas had some of the funkiest and funniest songs and they are still slamming

[gabbyokorare]

Rufus Thomas shock the world with his iconic hit" walking the dog 1964. Top of the charts for many years..I danced to this hit...1965 when I was in form two in college... great guy. Rufus lives ON!!

[wakeupidiotsnow]

In 1963 I was a Boy of 11yrs old and my older sister was a 14yr old BOBBIE SOXER, her and friends would clear the floor in the living room and adjoining dining room and “Walk The Dog”. She knew all of the latest songs and dances, releases were choreographed with a new dance 💃! So cool back then like mashed potato, the jerk, the swim, locomotion, the pony, hand jive and the twist.

[brucefulper]

Infectious groove. So very very good. RIP Rufus. You were one cool cat.

[shyratolbert]

My grandfather use 2 sing this song 2 me in his own way when I was little.

I can still hear him singing it sometimes. (R.I.P. I miss you everyday.👼❤😢)

[jeffcory]

As much as I have always liked the Rolling Stones cover of this, they pale in comparison to the originator.... powerful, rocking and funky at the same time... Wow. Love this!

[amberhumphreys]

Love this ! When it first came out I was 20 and I danced to it, a lot in Soho London ! Still sounds just as good today. What a great artist.

[souljazzrb]

Rufus was the Man back in the early 70s when I was a kid. "Do the Push and Pull" was one of the first records I ever owned. RIP Mr. Thomas.

[lindapro]

Wow! Rufus Thomas and his band are jammin!!

[sunrah]

The original Dance maven "the breakdown " "Funky Penguin" "Funky Chicken" "Push and Pull"...oh, and he was also the top black radio D.J. In Memphis & Carla Thomas' father. Rufus Thomas was No joke. 👍❤💪🔥

[icewaterslim]

Unlike most of the TV performances in that small a venue back then . . . No lip sync . . . the way to play it real and the band sounds good.

[basilmarasco]

Great song. My favorite part is the whistle. "C'mon, boy! Come on! Come on!"

[ashleywilliams]

When I heard his voice it reminded me of home, looked him up and lo and behold, he's from Mississippi/Memphis. Memphis Magic. American music architects.

[billwells]

I sing it karaoke....and I can tear it up. Being white with Blacks in the audience has saying where did that come from. I was in a garage band in 1966...so that’s my kind music...still.

[hrwatchinpuff]

And to this day Europeans have remained fans of Black music. Our kids today have reinvented the music industry, but channels like Reel Black✊🏿will always keep it real✊🏿✊🏿

[charlescurry]

Don't cha just wish you were there? Man, that look like they were having a good time. Them horns brought the party.

[maryrandolph]

Memphis loved Rufus, always an honor to bump into him.