Rufus Thomas
My friends and I were at a funk concert and Rufus Thomas came on and did his stint.
He asked if anyone knew how to do the Funky Chicken so my mates and I shouted "WE DO" (teenage braveness in numbers).
They didn't actually know how the dance but I did, well.

He hauled us up on stage, played the Funky Chicken and we all danced. I think I impressed him with my professional Funky Chicken dance skills because afterwards, we went to leave and he grabbed me and said "you know this dance well, stay with me".

So there I was, on my own, no mates to infuse me with bravado, dancing on stage with Rufus Thomas in front of thousands.

I was mortified but put a brave face on it as I didn't want to freeze on stage and look an even bigger plonker.

There must be a picture of me somewhere, dancing with that mad nutter in a shocking pink hot pants suit.
( Flowerpot No longer has the vapours thanks to DTH, Mon 22 Aug 2011, 15:53, 4 replies)

I hope you've seen Wattstax?
The 'mass funky chicken' he kicks off is one of life's most heartwarming and funny things ever committed to celuloid.

Anyone who has not seen this film who has even a passing interest in 70s black culture is missing a major trick.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Mon 22 Aug 2011, 16:10, closed)

Ah yes
I saw a clip of that on links and it reminded me of my experience and lo and behold, this QOTW came up.

He must have recycled that outfit a lot.
( Flowerpot No longer has the vapours thanks to DTH, Mon 22 Aug 2011, 16:48, closed)

Fair enough.
I fucking would if I owned a salmon pink suit with shorts and a matching cape.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 23 Aug 2011, 13:48, closed)

And!
He stopped it turning into a riot with his 'Jumping the fence/Don't make no sense' lyrical ad lib. Hero. Terrible penmanship, though. I saw his autograph in the back of a cab once, it looked like a dog did it with a felt tip held in its teeth.
(electricteeth, Tue 23 Aug 2011, 18:20, closed)