Rufus Thomas, Jr.- 4E 119 - Memphis, Tennessee - Tennessee Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

Rufus Thomas, Jr.

Born March 26, 1917, in Cayce, Mississippi, this legendary entertainer known worldwide, began his career in the 1930's with the Rabbit Foot Minstrel Shows.  He was the organizer and master of ceremonies of the amateur shows in the 1940s and 1950s at the Palace Theatre, which stood at this site.  From these shows began the careers of many great performers, including B. B. King and Bobby "Blue" Bland.

He had the first hit records for both the Sun and Stax labels.  As a popular personality on WDIA, he was the first disc jockey to play Elvis Presley records on a Black radio station.  He was the creator of two of the biggest dance crazes of the 1960s--"The Dog" and "The Funky Chicken." ~ text of marker

Marker Name: Rufus Thomas, Jr. Marker Location: City Type of Marker: Person Marker Number: 4E-119 Group(s) Responsible for placing Marker: Tennessee Historical Commission

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