It's the Birthday of Big Mama Thornton

Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton was born on December 11, 1926 and she passed away on July 25, 1984. I've always thought of her as one of the great ladies of blues shouting, and she also was a wonderful harmonica player.

According to Wikipedia;

Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton (December 11, 1926 – July 25, 1984) was an American rhythm and blues singer and songwriter. She was the first to record the hit song "Hound Dog" in 1952. The song was #1 on the Billboard R&B charts for seven weeks. The B-side was "They Call Me Big Mama," and the single sold almost two million copies. Three years later, Elvis Presley recorded his version, based on a version performed by Freddie Bell and the Bellboys. In a similar occurrence, she wrote and recorded "Ball 'n' Chain," which became a hit for her. Janis Joplin later recorded "Ball and Chain," and was a huge success in the late 1960s.

With the Muddy Waters Blues Band 1966






Big Mama Thornton @Amazon.com