Sixty Minute Man

Recorded for Stax Records in Memphis, Rufus Thomas's Sixty Minute Man was produced by Al Bell and Tom Nixon and released in 1970. The recording reinterpreted the 1951 rhythm-and-blues hit by Billy Ward and His Dominoes, written by Billy Ward and Rose Marks, as an extended performance for Thomas's Do the Funky Chicken album. Released as a Stax single in 1970, Sixty Minute Man brought a foundational early rhythm-and-blues composition into the Memphis soul era. Its playful, suggestive lyrics and extended rhythmic arrangement reflected Thomas's established personality as a singer, entertainer and dance-music innovator. Sixty Minute Man remains part of Rufus Thomas's Stax catalogue and has appeared on retrospective releases including The Very Best of Rufus Thomas and The Complete Stax/Volt Soul Singles. His interpretation connects the original Dominoes recording with the development of rhythm-and-blues performance traditions in 1970s Memphis.