Rounding out our tribute to Stax Records this week, today we’re paying tribute to perhaps the label’s most entertaining artist, the late great Rufus Thomas. Granted, Stax had plenty of raw, talented, and “entertaining” artists, but Rufus certainly stood out from the pack thanks in large part to his notoriously animated and comedic flair that often characterized his sets. Case in point is this classic performance of “Do the Funky Chicken” on SNL from 1989. Rocking his trademarked cape and backed by his shit-hot band, Rufus effectively brings down the house with this infectious performance, which of course features his bizarre chicken-balk introduction to kick things off. It can’t help but bring a smile (and maybe a chuckle) to your face. R.I.P. Rufus, and long live Stax:
One Response
Great clip.
That’s not SNL. It’s probably from Night Music since that’s David Sanborn hosting. (Just to make things confusing – David Sanborn was a member of the SNL band – I think while Paul Shaffer was still there.)