The Crown Prince of Dance, Rufus Thomas is one of the most significant figures in Memphis music history, and also an important contributor to the development of early rock & roll, classic Southern soul, and funk. Thomas began singing in the 1940s and made his name as a radio DJ in Memphis before recording the classic Sun Records side "Bear Cat." He signed on with the legendary Stax Records in the early '60s, where he released a series of fun yet hard-hitting soul records, many of which -- "Do the Funky Chicken," "Do the Penguin," "Walking the Dog" -- were directives for the latest dance crazes. Although Thomas was a genial entertainer, he was also one mean soulster, a reputation he upheld dutifully until his death in 2001.