Willa Mae ("Big Mama") Thornton (December 11, 1926 – July 25, 1984) was an American Blues and R&B singer. She was the original singer to record the hit song "Hound Dog" in 1953. The song was #1 on the Billboard R&B charts for seven weeks. Three years later, Elvis Presley recorded the Rock 'n' roll version of the song, the single hitting number one on the pop, country and blues chart, coupled with "Don't Be Cruel", for an astonishing 11 weeks. Big Mama Thornton Album cover uploaded by Gerald Zuckier. ... December 11 is the 345th day of the year (346th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1926 (MCMXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 206th day of the year (207th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar). ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Blues is a vocal and instrumental form of music based on the use of the blue notes and a repetitive pattern that most often follows a twelve-bar structure. ... December 11 is the 345th day of the year (346th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1926 (MCMXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 206th day of the year (207th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar). ... Blues is a vocal and instrumental form of music based on the use of the blue notes and a repetitive pattern that most often follows a twelve-bar structure. ... Rhythm and blues (or R & B) is a musical marketing term introduced in the United States in the late 1940s by Billboard magazine. ... A singer is a musician who uses their voice to produce music. ... Hound Dog is a twelve-bar blues recorded in of two versions that demonstrate the transition from rhythm and blues to rock and roll. ... See also: 1952 in music, other events of 1953, 1954 in music, 1950s in music and the list of years in music // Events Arthur Bliss replaces Arnold Bax as Master of the Queens Musick. ... Rhythm and blues (or R & B) is a musical marketing term introduced in the United States in the late 1940s by Billboard magazine. ... Elvis Aron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), often known simply as Elvis and also called The King of Rock n Roll or simply The King, was an American singer, musician and actor. ... Rock and roll - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins/monobook/IE50Fixes. ...

Biography

Early life

Her introduction to music, as with many fellow blues legends, started in the Baptist church. The daughter of a minister, she and her six siblings began to sing at a very early age. While still a child, Willa Mae taught herself to play the drums and harmonica, and by the age of 14, she had run away from home to make her career in secular music. Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      Baptist is a term describing individuals belonging... It has been suggested that Ecclesia (Church) be merged into this article or section. ... For other types of minister, see Minister In Christian churches, a minister is a man or woman who serves a congregation or participates in a role in a parachurch ministry; such persons can minister as a Pastor, Preacher, Bishop, Chaplain, Deacon or Elder. ... For other kinds of drums, see drum (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Career

She joined Sammy Green's "Hot Harlem Revue" and toured throughout the South in the 1940s. While touring Texas in 1948, Thornton left the Revue in favor of the state's growing club scene, which she immersed herself in. It was during this time that she was discovered by Don Robey, a black entrepreneur who owned several clubs and record stores in the Houston area. Impressed by her massive size (6 ft, 350+ lb),formidable multi-instrument abilities, and fiery stage presence, Robey signed her to his Peacock Records label, where he began the task of translating the forceful belter's energy onto record. 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1948 calendar). ...

Her big hit came, not from Robey's capable pen, but from the young songwriting team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. It was "Hound Dog," which she recorded in 1952 with the Johnny Otis band. Her ferocious rendition of the song (complete with Big Mama's growl and a nasty guitar line by Pete Lewis) held the #1 spot in the Billboard rhythm and blues charts for nine weeks. Unfortunately for Thornton, Elvis Presley's smoother version was a major rock'n'roll hit in 1956 and successfully eclipsed her biggest claim to fame. Mike Stoller, Elvis Presley & Jerry Leiber Jerry Leiber (born April 25, 1933) and Mike Stoller (born March 13, 1933) are among the most influential songwriters and music producers in post-World War II popular music. ... Hound Dog is a twelve-bar blues recorded in of two versions that demonstrate the transition from rhythm and blues to rock and roll. ... See also: 1951 in music, other events of 1952, 1953 in music, 1950s in music and the list of years in music // Events Pierre Schaeffer publishes his A la recherche dune musique concrète (The Search for a Concrete Music), an explanation of his experimental approach to composing. ... Johnny Otis Johnny Otis (born Ioannis (Yannis) Veliotes on December 28, 1921 in Vallejo, California) is an American blues and rhythm and blues pianist, vibraphonist, drummer, singer, bandleader, and impresario. ... Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry. ... Rhythm and blues (also known as R&B or RnB) is a popular music genre combining jazz, gospel, and blues influences, first performed by African American artists. ... ... Elvis Aron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), often known simply as Elvis and also called The King of Rock n Roll or simply The King, was an American singer, musician and actor. ... For other uses, see Rock music (disambiguation). ...

Thornton continued to tour the "chitlin' circuit" as fans began to favor newer R&B sounds over blues. For some years, Big Mama suffered in obscurity like most of her fellow bluesmen. Her name gained wider prominence and her career enjoyed a significant resurgence as her song "Ball and Chain" was covered by Janis Joplin, making it a regular number in her repertoire. From that point onward, Thornton would remain a headliner at blues festivals, colleges, and clubs throughout the country and even in Europe. She began recording again, and released albums for the Arhoolie, Mercury, and Vanguard labels. Years of hard drinking and living began to take their toll, however, and by the late 1970s her health (and her trademark girth) had declined greatly. She nevertheless performed until her death in 1984 in Los Angeles, where she was found dead from natural causes in the boarding house room she had been living in. Johnny Otis conducted her funeral services, and she was laid to rest in Inglewood Park Cemetery. Ball and Chain is a song by Big Mama Thornton. ... Janis Lyn Joplin (January 19, 1943 – 4 October 1970) was an American blues-influenced rock singer and occasional songwriter with a distinctive voice. ... World map showing the location of Europe. ... Mercury Records was a record label founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1945 by Irving Green, Berle Adams and Arthur Talmadge. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979. ... Year 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar). ... Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ... Johnny Otis Johnny Otis (born Ioannis (Yannis) Veliotes on December 28, 1921 in Vallejo, California) is an American blues and rhythm and blues pianist, vibraphonist, drummer, singer, bandleader, and impresario. ...

Thornton was one of two witnesses to the death of Johnny Ace. Johnny Ace (June 9, 1929 – December 25, 1954), born John Marshall Alexander, Jr. ...

Legacy

As an influence over the music and musicians which followed her, her importance cannot be overstated. Her name and legacy will forever remain amongst the very greatest of blues legends. Thornton's mighty voice, take-no-guff attitude, and incendiary stage performances influenced generations of blues and rock singers and carried on the tradition of tough "blues mamas" like Bessie Smith, Memphis Minnie, and Ma Rainey. In 2007, the movie "Hounddog" included various characters, including that of Big Mama, and Elvis Presley, as well as their relevant versions of the song. This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... Memphis Minnie McCoy (born June 3, 1897 - died August 6, 1973) was an American Blues musician. ... Gertrude Malissa Nix Pridgett Rainey, better known as Ma Rainey (September, 1882 – December 22, 1939), was one of the earliest known professional blues singers and one of the first generation of such singers to record. ...

Discography

• In Europe (1966)
• With the Muddy Waters Band - 1966 (2004)

See also: 1965 in music, other events of 1966, 1967 in music, 1960s in music and the list of years in music Hot 100 No. ... See also: 2004 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2004 Record labels established in 2004 2000s in music. ...

External links

• A biography
• http://hubpages.com/hub/Big_Mama_Thornton_Sings_the_Blues_in_Detroit

References