IRMA THOMAS
Irma Thomas Sang in a church choir as a teen. Singing
with Tommy Ridgley helped her get a record deal with the local Ron label. Irma
Thomas’ first single, "(You Can Have My Husband but) Don't Mess with My
Man," was released in spring 1960, and reached number 22 on the Billboard
R&B chart. She then began recording on the Minit label, working with
songwriter and producer Allen Toussaint on songs including "It’s
Raining" and "Ruler of my Heart", Imperial Records acquired
Minit in 1963, and a string of successful releases followed. These included
"Wish Someone Would Care” its B-side “Breakaway”, ”Anyone Who Knows What
Love Is", and A cover of Kai Winding’s “Time is on my side”. She recorded
for Chess Records in 1967/68 with some success, the Otis Redding song
"Good To Me" reaching the R&B chart. She then relocated to
California, releasing records on various small labels, before returning to
Louisiana, and in the early 1980s opened her own club, the Lion's Den. She then
signed to Rounder Records, and in 1991 earned her first-ever Grammy Award
nomination for Live! Simply the Best, recorded in San Francisco.
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