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The lyrics make references to children's nursery rhymes, especially Miss Mary Mack. It was his signature hit and also his biggest, reaching number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1963 and remaining on the Hot 100 for 14 weeks. It was released on his 1963 album Walking the Dog. 05, 2019."Walking the Dog" (or "Walkin' the Dog") is a Rufus Thomas song.
#Rufus thomas walking the dog series
He was 84.īobby Brown portrays Rufus Thomas in the upcoming BET television series ‘American Soul’ to premiere on Feb. Rufus Thomas sadly died of heart failure on Dec. And the City of Memphis renamed a road off Beale Street as Rufus Thomas Boulevard to commemorate his 80th birthday in 1997. Unsurprisingly, he played an important part in the Stax reunion of 1988. This before returning to WDIA in the mid-80’s to co-host a Blues show. He eventually ceased DJing at WDIA in 1974 to join WLOK for a certain time. He continued to record tough and toured internationally, billing himself as “The World’s Oldest Teenager” and describing himself as “the funkiest man alive”. Rufus Thomas had a bunch of less successful hits on Stax before the label collapsed in 1976. This before his performance at the Wattstax concert the year after. Meanwhile ‘The Breakdown’ which saw the light in 1971 would bring Thomas extra attention while climbing at #2 on the R&B charts. And ‘(Do The) Push And Pull’ being his one and only R&B hit, with production work by the likes of Al Bell and Tom Nixon. With ‘Walking The Dog’ comin’ as a cover version the year after – in 1963 – on The Rolling Stones‘ eponymous debut-album. ‘Walking The Dog’ but also ‘Do The Funky Chicken’ and ‘(Do The) Push And Pull’ pretty much stand as his signature cuts. Thisīefore signing with Stax where he achieved most of his successes during the 60’s/70’s period. When not duetting with his daughter Carla on ‘Deep Down Inside’ (Atco). Eventually recording of other labels such as Sun and Chess. And this before and after his music got successful.Īn eternal teenager according to many of those who’ve crossed his path, he deliered his debut-single – ‘I’ll Be A Good Boy’ – on Texas-based label Star Talent. Beginning as a Tap dancer, then a vaudeville performer and an MC in the 30’s, he made himself famous as a radio jock on WDIA in Memphis, TN. pretty much had music and entertaining deep in him from his early days. And, by that payin’ justice to Rufus Thomas‘ music and eventually bringin’ it to the attention of another audience.Ĭonsidered as one of his signature songs with ‘Do The Funky Chicken’ and ‘(Do The) Push And Pull’, ‘Walking The Dog’ (from his album of the name) stands as his biggest hit ever.Ī native of Cayle, MS Rufus Thomas, Jr. This while covering it on their eponymous debut-album. With extra ones of the likes no other than The Rolling Stones eventually givin’ it a push the year after. This at a period when the R&B you would hear on the radio stations Stateside was mainly done by White artists. A song that first saw the light on Stax Records back in 1963. With ‘Walking The Dog’ coming up as a good illustration to this. History happens to be so ironical at times.