Blues singer Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton was born in Ariton, Alabama. A powerhouse vocalist and songwriter, she is best known for her 1952 hit “Hound Dog”, which topped the R&B charts years before Elvis Presley recorded his version. Thornton was a trailblazer for women in blues and rock, influencing generations of musicians with her raw vocal style and commanding stage presence. She also wrote and recorded “Ball and Chain,” later popularized by Janis Joplin.
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