See also: Thornton
Willie Mae (“Big Mama”) Thornton (December 11th 1926 with Montgomery (Alabama) - July 25th 1984 with Los Angeles) was a singer of Blues, precursor of the Rock Afro-American.
Biography
Girl of Pasteur and a singer of church, at 14 years it travels with the Hot Harlem Revue where it plays during 7 years. She moves in the Texas in 1948 and plays in the local clubs. She signs with the beginning of the year 1950 with the label Peacock .It is there which in 1953 records its most known piece Hound Dog (of Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller) with the orchestra of Johnny Otis. This piece was n° 1 of the hit-parade Rhythm and blues during 7 weeks. Elvis Presley popularized this piece for the white public. Of its life it will touch only 500$ of rights on this song!
It also created the famous Ball Chain , popularized later by Janis Joplin.
With the beginning of the year 1960 she moves with San Francisco. She continues to record and makes a round in Europe with the American Folk Blues Festival in 1965. She will record there a disc in England.
She recorded for several labels and played with largest.
The abuse alcohol will be right of it and it will die of an heart attack, poor and badly known.
External bonds
- a biography of Big Mama Thornton
- Another biography
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