The once and future Queen of Memphis Soul, Carla Thomas was an influential figure on the Southern soul scene, earning more than 20 chart hits throughout the ‘60s and ‘70s. Thomas cut her first single as a teenager, which featured her famous father, R&B wildman and pioneering DJ Rufus Thomas. By 1960, she had launched her signature tune, “Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes),” which preceded a long string of Top 10 and 20 R&B hits, including duets with Otis Redding and Johnnie Taylor. After that, she stepped down to focus on educational efforts with Memphis schoolchildren.