Irma Thomas
Play Radio
Listen to Irma Thomas Radio,
featuring artists like Lee Dorsey, Laura Lee, Ernie K-Doe, Betty Harris and more…
692,167 plays (120,643 listeners)
New Orleans, United States
Irma Thomas (b. February 18, 1941, Ponchatoula, Louisiana) whose only national chart hit in a 50 year career is 1963’s “
Wish Someone Would Care”, is an enduring, Grammy winning, soul, gospel, rhythm and blues singer from New Orleans. Known as the “Soul Queen of New Orleans”, she is a contemporary of Aretha Franklin and Etta James, but did not tour as relentlessly, and industry support and major commercial success eluded her for decades. Thomas, who once was told by execs at Atlantic in the late 60’s that “she just didn’t have it anymore”, remained undaunted, and continues to perform to a loyal and growing following worldwide.
She was finally awarded a Grammy for her 2006 Rounder album “After the Rain”, after more than 40 years as singer. She won The Best Contemporary Blues Album Grammy again for her 2008 album “Simply Grand”.
Releasing her first single in 1959, she struggled to launch her career from segregated New Orleans as a teenage waitress with 4 children in the early 60’s. Now, finally undergoing a late career renaissance on the Rounder label, much of her most enduring work was produced in the early 1960’s by Allen Toussaint for Minit Records, and she also recorded for other labels including Imperial, Chess, and Atlantic, eventually retiring for a period before reviving her career in earnest in the late 1980’s.
Thomas is perhaps best known outside of New Orleans for her recording of “Time Is On My Side,” which predated the hit version by The Rolling Stones. Otis Redding’s hit “Pain In My Heart” was built on an earlier song, “Ruler Of My Heart,” recorded by Thomas.
Wish Someone Would Care”, is an enduring, Grammy winning, soul, gospel, rhythm and blues singer from New Orleans. Known as the “Soul Queen of New Orleans”, she is a contemporary of Aretha Franklin and Etta James, but did not tour as relentlessly, and industry support and major commercial success eluded her for decades. Thomas, who once was told by execs at Atlantic in the late 60’s that “she just didn’t have it anymore”, remained undaunted, and continues to perform to a loyal and growing following worldwide.
She was finally awarded a Grammy for her 2006 Rounder album “After the Rain”, after more than 40 years as singer. She won The Best Contemporary Blues Album Grammy again for her 2008 album “Simply Grand”. Releasing her first single in 1959, she struggled to launch her career from segregated New Orleans as a teenage waitress with 4 children in the early 60’s. Now, finally undergoing a late career renaissance on the Rounder label, much of her most enduring work was produced in the early 1960’s by Allen Toussaint for Minit Records, and she also recorded for other labels including Imperial, Chess, and Atlantic, eventually retiring for a period before reviving her career in earnest in the late 1980’s.
Thomas is perhaps best known outside of New Orleans for her recording of “
Time Is On My Side,” which predated the hit version by The Rolling Stones. Otis Redding’s hit “Pain In My Heart” was built on an earlier song, “Ruler Of My Heart,” recorded by Thomas.
Top Albums
-
Straight From The Soul
Irma Thomas
Buy- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 $9.99
- 7digital $13.99
- iTunes $12.99
- Buy Album
- Amazon Search
- eBay Search
-
Time Is on My Side
Irma Thomas Buy- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 Search
- 7digital Search
- iTunes Search
- Buy Album
- Amazon $11.29
- eBay Search
-
Wish Someone Would Care
Irma Thomas Buy- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 $9.49
- 7digital $8.99
- iTunes $9.99
- Buy Album
- Amazon Search
- eBay Search
Shoutbox
-
OmArIe04 so col.. we have the same birthday. she's 45 years older <3
-
bernarducs god bless her!
-
amniocentesis make me a queen
-
mockajulia I just discovered her, so amazing
-
Szpila299 Break-A-Way <3
-
pet-lamb so excited to see her on Sunday!
-
akoustikosagnoi good stuff here.
-
cee-lo you have to check out this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmI-IejJl3U what a great song, huh! that would be awesome if Irma recorded an album with these guys
Videos
-
Play
"I Needed Somebody"
-
Play
What Are You Trying To Do
-
Play
Break Away Ruler Of My Heart…
-
Play
Anyone Who Knows What Love Is…
Listening Now
Top Listeners
-
vooco
Top Listener
-
katherinekr
Top Listener
-
mrBaldock
Top Listener
-
Andrew_Poe
Top Listener
More Information
- Links
- Labels
Email Newsletter
Get exclusive tour, release & promotion updates on Irma Thomas from Universal Music.
