Is Irma Thomas the daughter of Rufus Thomas?

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.

Rufus 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).

Is Irma Thomas the daughter of Rufus Thomas?

The New Orleans R&B; singer, who first gained national attention in the ’60s, isn’t the daughter of Southern R&B; hitmaker Rufus Thomas, and therefore not the sister of his daughter, singer Carla Thomas.

Rufus C. Thomas, Jr. 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.