Big Mama Thornton

Willie Mae " Big Mama " Thornton ( born December 11, 1926 in Montgomery, Alabama, † 25 July 1984 in Los Angeles ) was an American blues singer, songwriter and harmonica player. She was the first to " Hound Dog" by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller recorded, the song later became a hit for Elvis Presley. She also recorded the original recording of "Ball 'n Chain ", a later hit for Janis Joplin.

Life

In her childhood she made, how many blues singers in the church their first musical steps. At fourteen, she was hired by a road show with the name " Hot Harlem Review".

With her ​​powerful voice and her impressive appearance they tried to make a new Bessie Smith from her. But only in 1952 was Big Mama in the Johnny Otis Show with passionate rhythm and blues record their first success: Hound Dog, which in the version of Elvis Presley later a classic of rock and roll was. " Hound Dog" was included in the list Wire The Wire 's " 100 Records That Set The World On Fire (While No One Was Listening ) ".

In the years 1951-1954 Big Mama took some of the titles in the company of Johnny Otis band for the label Peacock Records, wherein she also brilliantly played harmonica on some recordings. But none of these recordings ( for example, " I Smell a Rat ", "Stop Hoppin 'on Me," " The Fish ," " Just Like a Dog " ) reached the charts again.

Meanwhile, settled on the west coast of the United States, she made in 1957 through a difficult period without regular band and engagement. During this time she hoofed it only by small clubs.

In the 1960s, she also improved her harmonica game that their trademark was next to her impressive voice. Only with the blossoming Blues Revival, their situation improved somewhat. So she took in 1965 on the European tour of the American Folk Blues Festival in part. In London, the album Big Mama Thornton was recorded in Europe on this occasion. Through their irrepressible dynamism they tore with musicians and spectators. Their hit " Ball and Chain " (including by Janis Joplin gecovert ) let her win the favor of the general public. She subsequently took on many tours and festivals, including the Monterey Jazz Festival and the San Francisco Blues Festival, and played recorded several albums. Together with T-Bone Walker in 1972 they again at the American Folk Blues Festival in part. She also appeared in the most important venues such as New York's Apollo Theatre. In the course of her career, she was nominated six times for the Blues Music Awards.

Big Mama increasingly suffered their alcohol problems, which destroyed the health.

She was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1984. She also is the namesake for Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls, a non- profit organization that aims to increase the self-esteem of girls and women through music education.

Discography

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