On this day in Black history, Dec. 11, 1926, blues legend Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton was born—one of the most electrifying voices to ever step on a stage. A powerhouse singer, drummer, and harmonica player, Big Mama embodied raw, unapologetic Southern blues. In 1952, she recorded the original version of “Hound Dog,” a smash hit long before Elvis Presley ever touched it. Her version topped the R&B charts for seven weeks and helped define modern rhythm and blues—yet she never received the credit or royalties she deserved.
Thornton’s voice was thunder, gravel, and gospel all at once, a sound that influenced generations of soul and rock artists. She passed away in 1984 at just 57 year old in Los Angeles, but her iconic legacy lives on.
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