Irma Thomas: Soul Legend on Racism, the Stones & Resilience
- Irma Thomas, the Soul Queen of New Orleans, welcomes visitors into her modest ranch home, a far cry from a star's mansion.
- Thomas is among the last of the great African American soul singers.
- Thomas acknowledges the praise with a touch of skepticism, noting it's nice to hear such things while she's still alive.
Explore the extraordinary life of Irma Thomas, the “soul Queen” of New Orleans, a true legend whose voice continues to captivate. This article highlights her remarkable resilience, chronicling her journey through industry challenges and personal triumphs, including her struggles with racism. Discover her latest album, “Audience With the Queen,” a vibrant collaboration with Galactic. News Directory 3 dives into her performance with the rolling Stones and the continued impact of her music. Uncover the secrets behind her enduring success and witness a career that spans decades. Discover what’s next for this music icon.
Irma Thomas: New Orleans Soul Queen, Still Reigning Supreme
Updated May 27, 2025
Irma Thomas, the Soul Queen of New Orleans, welcomes visitors into her modest ranch home, a far cry from a star’s mansion. At 84, Thomas possesses a remarkable career filled with hits, Grammy awards, and international acclaim, yet sustained stardom’s riches have eluded her. Instead, she cherishes her health, a 50-year marriage to Emile Jackson, her manager, and a new album, “audience With the Queen,” created with the electro-funk band Galactic.
Thomas is among the last of the great African American soul singers. Her career, which began at 18 in 1959, never reached the heights of contemporaries like Aretha Franklin or Gladys Knight, but her influence is undeniable. Artists from the Rolling Stones to Otis Redding have covered her songs. Bonnie Raitt, a close friend, calls Thomas a legend, praising her voice as powerful as ever.
Thomas acknowledges the praise with a touch of skepticism, noting it’s nice to hear such things while she’s still alive. She agrees that “Audience With the Queen” marks a significant return after a 17-year recording hiatus.The collaboration with Galactic, she said, had been discussed for some time.
The 1960s proved challenging for Thomas.After being dropped by Liberty Records, she struggled to find work, eventually settling in Oakland, California, where she worked in a department store and sang on weekends. Thomas prioritized stability for her children, pursuing a business diploma in night school to better negotiate contracts. Despite recording for Chess and Atlantic Records and working with Jerry “swamp Dogg” Williams Jr., her career faced constant setbacks due to industry politics.
Thomas said the music industry is tough, especially for those unwilling to sign unfavorable contracts. Labeled “arduous” for refusing to relinquish control, she preferred that to being exploited.
By the mid-1970s, Thomas returned to New Orleans, where she felt appreciated. She married Emile Jackson, her current husband, and found steady work. Her career revival began in 1983 when UK label Ace released “Time Is on My Side,” a compilation of her early singles. The album gained popularity, introducing her to a new audience. Jim Jarmusch’s use of Thomas’s “It’s Raining” in “Down By Law” further boosted her profile. Scott Billington of Rounder Records then approached her about recording new material.
From 1986 to 2008, Billington produced 10 albums, re-establishing Thomas as a leading vocalist and preventing her from being relegated to singing “It’s Raining” nightly in a hotel bar.
Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans nearly 20 years ago, flooding Thomas’s home and ruining the Lion’s Den club she ran with her husband. Months after Katrina, her 2006 album “After the Rain” won a Grammy. However, after 2008’s “Simply Grand,” she found herself without a label again, as declining CD sales made it difficult for an established singer to gain industry support.
Thomas said she harbors no bitterness. She sings when she wants for the right price, thanks to her husband’s insistence. if there’s no demand for a new album, she’s content.
Galactic ensured the world wanted a new Irma Thomas album. Thomas noted the recording process differed from her usual studio sessions, with Galactic programming the beats and music before she added her vocals. Despite initial strangeness, it proved triumphant. She also found herself singing protest songs, expressing her displeasure with current events.
Thomas sings in “Lady Liberty” about the need for change. She expressed her disdain for former President Trump, lamenting his attempts to undo progress. The song “Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand)” gained renewed attention after appearing in “Black Mirror,” generating millions of streams and reviving interest in her catalog. Documentaries about her life have been released, and an authorized biography is forthcoming.
At the 2024 New Orleans Jazzfest,the Rolling stones invited Thomas to perform “Time Is on My Side” with them. Mick Jagger acknowledged that Thomas first sang the song in 1964, sharing verses with her. Thomas said she was happy to receive that recognition in front of their audience.
With her time concluding, Thomas planned to have lunch with Emile, read the Bible, watch a gameshow, and prepare for her French Quarter festival performance, her voice as captivating as ever.On and off stage, time remains on Irma Thomas’s side.
What’s next
Irma thomas will continue to perform and share her music, solidifying her legacy as the Soul Queen of New Orleans for generations to come.