- Born: 11 December 1926
- Died: 25 July 1984
- Birthplace: Montgomery, Alabama
- Best known as:
Blues legend and original singer of "Hound Dog"
4 good links
- Big Mama Thornton
Good biographical entry from The Handbook of Texas
- The Blue Highway
A big tribute to the blues in general: essays, history and radio links
- Big Mama Thornton
Her story from the proud state of Alabama
- The Peacock Recordings
Commercial site with audio samples of some famous tunes
Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton Biography
Willie Mae Thornton toured the south as a blues singer in the 1940s, then settled in Texas. She wrote and sang blues songs, played the harmonica and taught herself to play the drums. In 1953 she had a hit with "Hound Dog", the song later made even more famous by Elvis. In the 1960s "Big Mama" Thornton moved to California and continued to tour throughout America and Europe. In 1984 she was inducted into the Blues Foundation's Hall of Fame.
Common Bonds
Something in Common with Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton
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