Remembering Big Mama Thornton
Even if you’ve never heard Big Mama Thornton, born 84 years ago today, you’re probably familiar with some of her best-known songs. She was the first to record “Hound Dog”, written for her by Lieber and Stoller and later a big hit for Elvis Presley, and her song “Ball and Chain” later became a chart-topper for Janice Joplin. Born on the outskirts of Montgomery, Alabama as one of seven siblings in 1926, like many entertainers of her generation, Willie Mae Thorton got her start singing in church. Her father was a Baptist minister and her mother sang in the choir. After winning a local singing contest at the age of 14, Thornton came to the attention of promoter Sammy Green and soon began her professional career by landing a spot on Green’s Georgia-based “Hot Harlem Review.” Billed as “The New Bessie Smith” she would tour the southeast with the group for 7 years. Thornton relocated to Houston to get of the road and take advantage of their burgeoning club scene. There she met bandleader
