Carla Thomas
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Carla Thomas (born December 21 1942, in Memphis, Tennessee) is often referred to as the Queen of Memphis Soul.
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Career
At the age of 17, she recorded a duet with her father Rufus Thomas, "Because I Love You," which became a Southern hit and gave the Satellite record label (later Stax Records) its first real success. In 1961 she rose to national prominence with "Gee Whiz (Look in His Eyes)," which reached the Top Ten in both the R&B and Pop categories, becoming the first Memphis soul record to have an impact nationwide and insuring the success of the Stax Records label.
In the next ten years, she had twenty two singles on the national charts, including "I’ll Bring It on Home to You" (an answer to Sam Cooke’s "Bring It on Home to Me"), "Let Me Be Good to You," and Isaac Hayes’ "B-A-B-Y." She is well-known for her duets with Otis Redding, from the album King & Queen, including the recordings of the Lowell Fulson composition "Tramp" and the Steve Cropper/Eddie Floyd song, "Knock on Wood".
In 1993 Carla Thomas received a Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. Carla Thomas co-starred in the 2003 D.A. Pennebaker directed documentary "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of both the Cannes and Sundance Film Festivals.
Discography
Albums
- 1961: Gee Whiz (Stax)
- 1966: Carla (Stax) - US #130, R&B #7
- 1966: Comfort Me (Stax) - US #134, R&B #11
- 1967: King & Queen (with Otis Redding) (Stax) - US #36, R&B #5
- 1967: The Queen Alone (Stax) - US #133, R&B #16
- 1969: Memphis Queen (Stax) - US #151, R&B #26
- 1969: The Best of Carla Thomas (Stax) - US #190
- 1971: Love Means... (Stax) - R&B #42
- 1994: Carla Thomas (Castle)
- 1994: Gee Whiz: The Best of Carla Thomas (Rhino)
- 2002: Live in Memphis (Memphis Int'l)
- 2007: Bohemian Cavern (Stax)
Singles
- 1961: "Gee Whiz (Look At His Eyes)" - US #10, R&B #5
- 1961: "A Love of My Own" - US #56, R&B #20
- 1962: "I'll Bring It Home To You" - US #41, R&B #9
- 1963: "Gee Whiz, It's Christmas" - US #23
- 1963: "What A Fool I've Been" - US #93, R&B #28
- 1964: "I've Got No Time To Lose" - US #67, R&B #67
- 1964: "A Woman's Love - US #71, R&B #71
- 1965: "How Do You Quit (Someone You Love)" - R&B #39
- 1965: "Stop! Look What You're Doing" - US #92, R&B #30
- 1966: "All I Want For Christmas Is You" - US #11
- 1966: "B-A-B-Y" - US #14, R&B #3
- 1966: "Let Me Be Good To You" - US #62, R&B #11
- 1967: "I'll Always Have Faith In You" - US #85, R&B #11
- 1967: "Knock on Wood" (with Otis Redding) - US #30, R&B #8
- 1967: "Something Good (Is Going To Happen To You)" - US #74, R&B #29
- 1967: "Tramp" (with Otis Redding) - US #26, R&B #2
- 1967: "When Tomorrow Comes" - US #99
- 1968: "Lovey Dovey" (with Otis Redding) - US #60, R&B #21
- 1968: "Pick Up The Pieces" - US #68, R&B #16
- 1968: "Where Do I Go" - US #86, R&B #38
- 1969: "I Like What You're Doing (To Me)" - US #49, R&B #9
- 1969: "I've Fallen In Love" - R&B #36
- 1970: "Guide Me Well" - R&B #41
