Willie Mae Thornton, better known as Big Mama Thornton, was a blues singer and songwriter who was the first to sing the hit track, “Hound Dog,” made famous by Elvis Presley in the ‘50s. She was born December 11, 1926, just outside of Montgomery, Ala.
Thornton’s singing career began in 1940 with the assistance of “Diamond Teeth Mary” McClain, joining the Georgia-based Hot Harlem Revue group. She played drums, harmonica, and also sang. After seven years with the band, Thornton moved to Houston to jumpstart her solo career.
In 1953, Thornton notched her first and biggest hit, “Hound Dog,” written by Jerome Leiber and Michael Stoller. Although the song was a chart-topper and sold over two million copies, Thornton reportedly only saw $500. (READ MORE)
