Just posted this performance to my facebook page as part of my "educate the masses about the blues" for Black History month. An incredible performance by a great artist who is very much underappreciated...but not by me.
The Rock Hall is a joke. I live in Cleveland, I know spare me the sympathy, and there are so many artists that belong in there that aren't there. I don't know if Big Mama is one of them but it wouldn't surprise me : ( Joan Jett but no Big Mama? WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Screw you Rock Hall!
@cockyhemi Good Lord, if you're going to bitch about the Rock Hall, get it right. Joan Jett isn't an inductee. Neither is Big Mama Thornton, though she is featured in the museum. The Rock Hall has helped many people learn about early rock n roll pioneers. And I'm not going to give you any sympathy for living in Cleveland because I moved back here after living in Europe, NYC and DC. I love Cleveland and the Rock Hall.
@Tracymmo Joan Jett is up for induction. What I meant to type is that Thornton belongs in the hall. Just joking about my home town, btw. I've been here for 37 years except the time I spent in the service. Just wish we could win a major sports championship sometime soon! ; ) The Rock Hall didn't turn out to be the tourist attraction it was intended to be, it doesn't really draw a crowd if u know what I mean.
My only problem with this is that I can't play it louder here at work! Gritty, juicy, blues the way not even Elvis could touch it. Go Big Mama. Do it right. <3
@sabartholomew That is the funniest comment I've read in a long time. People nowadays just can't imagine what Pat Boone could do to this sort of material. He was hilarious. When he got up to sing there wasn't a dry seat in the theatre. It's a good job that they kept him away from this one.
She DID NOT write this song or Ball & Chain. Lieber & Stoller wrote Hound Dog. She sings it well (perfectly), no doubt, but she did not write it. Let's be clear.
Ahh Come on you ignorant f**ks, how can everyone say this is the original version !! dont you know your music history :D Big Mama recorded this 1952 with Johnny Otis, much rawer version than this !! Please Check Youtube !!!
Ahh Come on you ignorant f**ks, how can everyone say this is the original version !! dont you know your music history :D Big Mama recorded this 1952 with Johnny Otis, much rawer version than this !! Please Check Youtube !!!
Ahh Come on you ignorant f**ks, dont you know your music history :D Big Mama recorded this 1952 with Johnny Otis, much rawer version than this !! Check Youtube !!!
@RadioLaPrincess You are so right. Cyndi Lauper was saying Big Mama should've been in, but you know they don't like to let too many woman in that Hall of Shame.
@RadioLaPrincess Isn't that sad, RadioLaPrincess? I have said over and over there should be more women in that Hall of Shame. Big Mama should've been in there way before people like Aretha because she broke grown for African American female singers.
I love Big Mama, also Bessie Smith, Clara Smith, Memphis Minnie, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington & Aretha Franklin. I love Elvis too. But no-one ripped anyone off. Lieber & Stoller wrote the song (RIP Jerry) It's debatable that Elvis even knew Big Mama's rendering. Elvis heard it in Las Vegas from a group called Freddy & the Bellboys. I prefer Big Mama's. Elvis' is just vocal gymnastics: no feeling. It doesn't figure in my top 50 of Elvis records.
Now, Elvis opened the gates to black music? So what happened to blues & jazz which was in existence before he got here? Yeah, denial is a powerful thing especially when people want 2 continually revise history 2 suit themselves. 4 any1 2 say that racism wasn't so 'bad' back in Elvis' day is in total DENIAL & an insult 2 African Americans who lived for decades under the horrors of Jim Crow. U might as well say that Elvis also paved the way 4 the civil rights movement. *SMH*
I like Elvis, but this version is definitely MUCH better. As an aside, I'm a little amazed at just how far white Americans in 2011 will go to pretend race had no tangible effect on even the smallest aspect of America throughout its history. So Elvis never benefitted from racist audiences that didn't buy black music? Really? You honestly believe that? Denial is a POWERFUL thing.
@darnieglover2 I'm equally baffled how many black and white Americans STILL believe Racism is as bad as it was. You're right Denial IS a powerful thing. First of all, your History is incorrect. Many Racist audiences generally HATED Elvis' music. Why? Because it was BLACK music mixed with white music. And they generally saw Elvis as a threat. Elvis OPENED the GATES for Black music. Little Richard confirmed this. You think Racist audiences Liked That? Are you kidding? Yeah, denial IS powerful
@darnieglover2 Yes. Denial is powerful as well as revising history 2 suit their own agenda. I admire Little Richard but I find his statements about Elvis contradictory (if he said it) as much as he complained about not being acknowledged 4 being 1 of the chief archietects of R & R. I don't care if 'racist audiences' *(which were WHITE) disliked his music. The point is that if there was no Louie Jordan, Fats Domino nor Little Richard, Elvis would not have existed PERIOD!
@royalsoulness Of course Louis Jordan had a huge influence on RnR -but it wasnt called Rock and Roll, it was Rhythm and Blues- and it wasn't the music for the teenage youth- who by 1955 started to make up the majority of the record buying public-thats when RnR became noticed- Had white artists like Bill Haley or Elvis not sing that style, perhaps Berry and Domino would be as little known as Jordan is today-thats what Richard means when he says Elvis opened the door.
@rbound827 Yeah, I know. It was called R&B by Jerry Wexler. So if you want to call what Jordan sang as R&B, that's a separate debate. The point I'm making is that Jordan, Domino, Richard & Berry created and shaped this music now called 'R&R' & Elvis was at the right place at the right time. Deny it all you want but Elvis' skin color helped make him popular, regardless if 'racist' audiences hated his music or not. His music was pushed and promoted while blacks artists were pushed to the side.
@royalsoulness Presley himself said many times of the artists that shaped his music. But the music that was called Rock and Roll was also shaped with the mixture of Hillbilly music-which Berry and Presley both were influenced by as well. Besides, Bill Haley had million selling RnR records before either of them
@TheOnlyOneKingElvis You must be dreaming if you think race didn't play a role in Elvis success as a musician.Before white ppl knew who he was they never brought any of his music simply because they thought he was another black musician.
Just because some black people 'like' Elvis means that blacks have negated their heroes in black music. The problem is radio is devoid in promoting classic black music because it's not considered a money maker. The other fact is that Elvis SHOWED RESPECT to black artists because he knew that alot of his vocal style and dance came from the blacks. That is the sole reason that black entertainers respected him.
@royalsoulness This is simply not True. A lot of Black entertainers, such as B.B. King and Little Richard, respected Elvis for the great talent he possessed...not just cuz he "kissed their ass". Little Richard said Elvis is the closest thing to a Messiah that the modern age has seen. What does that say about Richard? Is HE a Racist for saying that? You can only play the Race card on a certain amount of things...........
@williwo What I say IS true. U can try & twist it anyway u want that race did help Elvis' career. I know that black entertainers 'respected' and liked Elvis but that doesn't change the facts. As segerated as the fifties was in America, u can't re-invent the fact that race did help Elvis get his so-called 'King of R&R' title. Fats Domino stated that he was rocking & rolling b4 Elvis came along. Same w/ Chuck Berry. As much Richard complains about not being recognized, that statement is suspect.
@royalsoulness its not suspect, and you can look it up. What I say is true. .....And so what if Fats was playing before Elvis? Elvis couldnt help that he was born in 1935. Chuck might have started playing before Elvis...but Elvis went into a studio before he did. Thats not Elvis' fault. Sure, at THAT time...race had a role. But you're acting like it was the ONLY role...which is Bullshit. Elvis was an entertainer unlike any other, White OR Black. he had a rare versatility as a singer
Also, Sun Records owner Sam Phillips said that if he could get a white man 2 like a black man, he'd be a millionaire. So race DID play a part in Elvis getting recognition. It was BECAUSE he was white, that he got the support. Black music from that time period was not promoted 2 white audiences. So if nobody 'remembers' Big Mama Thornton, it is because purposely, the idea is 2 reinvent rock and roll as solely created by whites which IS NOT TRUE.
the only similarities i see and hear is the title , and 6 words in the song , you ain't nothing but a hound dog ,other than that , they are two different songs.
@slovacek59 REPLYING TO YOUR COMMENT-MY PARENTS WERE FROM PROGUE,, CHEZKSLOVACIA(SP) AND THEY DID NOT LIKE ANY BLUES OR ELVIS FOR THAT MATTER=ALL I WAS SUPPOSED TO LISTEN TO WAS POLKA MUSIC BUT WHEN THE GOOD ROCK AND ROLLO MUSIC GOT POPULar =i was soo drawn to it and am still to this day
Buddy Guy on guitar, Fred Below on drums, Eddie Boyd on piano and Lonesome Jimmy Lee Robinson on Bass.
The song was written by Jerry Leiber and mike Stoller. Elvis heard some one else do a cover and added it to his list. Almost all of his songs were ripped off from other artists. (Boy, am I going to get some flack off of that comment).
Good track good choice and way better than Elvis. I heard Big mama was annoyed with him for doing it.
@Sashaeharmony You can call me misinformed but don't call me a liar! If I was lying I would have made my comment with the intention to deceive, which I wasn't. Where would you look up this information. Perhaps you can post a link.
@Funniantix Yes, it looks you are going to get some 'flack' for that comment. The original Hound Dog is excellent. Although Elvis didn't 'rip it off.' For a start, this is a Rythm and Blues song. Elvis' Hound Dog is Rock and Roll. Elvis took the song and crafted it and moulded it to suit his style.
@MrElvis96 Yep, we were right! I got some flack! Probably deserved it too. Like @williwo perhaps I should have chosen my words a little more carefully. I live and learn. People can be very sensitive about Elvis. The thing is, I do like Elvis' music, but not half as much as I like 'the blues'.
@Funniantix Way better than Elvis? Yeah Right. Elvis' version is Rock and Roll and COMPLETELY different from this. His is a hell of a lot catchier too.
@williwo Everyone's entitled to their opinion. That just happens to be mine. I wouldn't have said 'COMPLETELY different' either. If they were 'COMPLETELY different' they wouldn't have the same title would they? Or the same first line. 'COMPLETELY different' would be a comparison between the song 'Hound Dog' and 'Inuit throat singing'. Oh sorry... Hound Dog is singing too, so that's not 'COMPLETELY different' either. Hey I know. Shall we compare 'Hound Dog' to 'COMPLETE silence'?
@Retribution421 she wrote the song, made it popular enough for his producers to notice (which was popular in blues circles) sang the crap out it it, and he sold 5 million copies, for which she saw not a penny of the royalites. See J. Halberstam's article in "Oh boy! Masculinities and Popular Music." Check your facts!
@eliaskrell Actually you need to check your facts. Leiber and Stoller wrote Hound Dog FOR Big Mama thornton who first performed iit in 1953. Elvis did get the song from Thornton. But Leiber and Stoller are the authors
@williwo well you're still incredibly naive and avoiding an entire history of racism by saying "he paid for them". he didn't pay shit. she paid for being a woman and being black.
@eliaskrell Oh Shut the HELL up. She DID not Write the song NOR was she a Co-Writer. Elvis had EVERY damn right to record the record. That was LEIBER and STOLLER'S song...not Thorntons. Just because Elvis' version was more exciting and more popular....doesnt give you OR Thornton the right to pull the race card. Thats just not fair. Elvis's version is more well loved. Get over it. Its not because hes white but because its more upbeat and its Rock and Roll...compared to her slow version
@eliaskrell By the way...dont Fucking tell me I'm avoiding an entire history of racism. For all you know...I COULD be Black. The point you are trying to make is both unfair and dishonest. And also, I'm NOT the one who said Elvis paid for anything. That was someone else. You're trying to say the ONLY reason Elvis' version was more successful is because he was white is a Damn lie. I could give you several reasons.
@jrsells No thats not.....thats just your mind-set, because you want to bring racism into EVERYTHING. You didnt need to be white to sell a lot of records in the 50's. Look at Chuck Berry. The man was as big of a seller as most artists, including white ones. Sure, being White isnt going to hurt, when MOST people in the country are White! Come on, its kind of a no-brainer. But America was changing at the time...and was opening up more and more for Black artists. And Elvis was a reason for that
@williwo First off no matter how much you try to convince people that this stuff did not happen, history does not lie!! Point blank period! Learn! Elvis was a bad mothafucka don't get me wrong, but he surely wasn't the first! believe that! White in a white country is power! you just said it yourself! If your white, you'll be the first to be considered something positive.. Me, I'll be considered a thug, a coon, nigger and the list goes on... i'm neither of those things.again BECAUSE HE IS WHITE!
@jrsells Well DUH! Mexican in a Mexican country is power.....African in an African country is power. Anytime you're apart of a majority, you're almost always going to have an advantage. Its Common Sense. Minoritys will always have a certain disadvantage no matter where you are. Thats how humanity works. You talk about being considered a coon and a nigger. Well theres white people that are called rednecks, white trash, and skinheads. Theres Mexicans that are called Beaners and border-jumpers
@williwo One reason Elvis' was more popular...is that his version was Rock and Roll....and it had a much stronger and faster beat than Thornton's. You could really dance to Elvis'. Anyone with half a brain should know that teenagers in general would have preferred Elvis' version on this fact alone. Elvis could have been black, and his version STILL would have been much more popular.
@williwo Don't be so naive to think that her status as a woman would've made writers necessarily give her credit. Elvis took her rhythm/phrasing too. She said:"I've been singing before Elvis was even born. A white man jumps up and becomes a millionaire before me off of somthing that I made popular. They gave him that right...now, why do they do that? He makes a million and all this jive because his face is different than mine." Thornton quoted in Oh boy! Masculinities,189)
@eliaskrell Nothing naive about it. She didnt write the song. PERIOD. Also, Jimi Hendrix, a BLACK man....took a song from Bob Dylan, a WHITE man, and made a version out of it. Hendrix's version was more popular and has sold more. And yet Dylan WROTE the damn thing. Sounds like a double standard to me. The Difference? Bob Dylan didnt bitch because Hendrix took his song and made a lot of money off of it. In fact, he thought Hendrix's version was cool and dug it.
@eliaskrell Also, lets get real.....Elvis was likely already a millionaire by the time that song came out. He already had 2 number ones, several hits(including Blue Suede Shoes), and had already been on the national scene for 6 months. So saying he BECAME a millionaire or star off Hound Dog is blatantly dishonest. I've got news for you pal. Elvis outsold EVERYONE he covered. The writer of Blue Suede Shoes, Carl Perkins, was a WHITE GUY. So stop with the racial stuff.
@eliaskrell U r absolutely correct that racism and sexism did deny Big Mama Thornton the acclaim she deserved. It is well documented that white audiences from that time period did NOT support nor purchase black music. The only way white audiences listened to black music was if it was performed by WHITE ARTISTS doing cover versions. Little Richard, Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, etc. all complained about the disparity and racism that denied them the promotion they deserved.
@eliaskrell Elvis' company always purchased the rights to the songs he performed. If she didn't get any royalties, it's because the rights were sold to Elvis Presley Enterprises. Maybe she should have had better lawyers
@Funniantix annoyed?!?!?! she wrote the damn song, sang it, and he sold 5 million copies, for which she saw none of the royalites. See J. Halberstam's article in "Oh boy! Masculinities and Popular Music."
@funniantix she didn't write the song but you can bet with that voice and performance she co-wrote it. can you imagine anyone telling her what or how to sing it? and she's barely remembered.
@funniantix Here's a quotation, "I've been singing before Elvis was even born. A white man jumps up and becomes a millionaire before me off of somthing that I made popular. They gave him that right...now, why do they do that? He makes a million and all this jive because his face is different than mine." (Willie Mae Thornton quoted in Oh boy! Masculinities, 189)
@eliaskrell I mean Come on....Elvis is more popular among BLACK people than Thornton. B.B. King Loves him, Sammy Davis Jr. loved him, Jimi Hendrix loved him, Michael Jackson loved him, and Little Richard and Chuck Berry both hold him in very high regard and have said only the warmest things about him. Little Richard himself said that Elvis opened the gates for Black Music. Funny thing is that I've never heard any one of these artists quote Mama Thornton as an influence.
@eliaskrell Oh and Perkins didnt just write Blue Suede Shoes....but was the original performer as well. Does that mean Elvis STOLE that from him to? Oh but I guess in that case you probly dont care...just cuz Perkins was a WHITE GUY. Oh and Perkins Never Bitched about that either by the way......even though Elvis' version is much more accessible. In fact he joined Elvis at Sun Studios for the "Million Dollar" Quartet.
@eliaskrell So basically, it all comes down to jealousy. Thats all it is. She just didn't like the fact that Elvis' version was more successful, so she tried to pull the race card. You never hear people like B.B. King or Little Richard try to play the race card with Elvis....even though he has sold many more records than them. Did you ever hear Little Richard go off about Elvis covering Long Tall Sally or Tutti Frutti? Or Ray Charles for I Got a Woman? Or Chuck Berry? Nope....just Mama Thorton
@Funniantix You're only stating the facts. Elvis did rip off a lot of tunes from others. In my opinion, Willie Mae's version is far better than Elvis'.
This was the golden age of blues.
ThoughtorTwo 5 days ago
thats what i do but i post all sorts of music to educate the masses glad to know others post to facebook to educate people cheers
333nog 2 weeks ago
Just posted this performance to my facebook page as part of my "educate the masses about the blues" for Black History month. An incredible performance by a great artist who is very much underappreciated...but not by me.
sabartholomew 2 weeks ago
The Rock Hall is a joke. I live in Cleveland, I know spare me the sympathy, and there are so many artists that belong in there that aren't there. I don't know if Big Mama is one of them but it wouldn't surprise me : ( Joan Jett but no Big Mama? WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Screw you Rock Hall!
cockyhemi 3 weeks ago
@cockyhemi Good Lord, if you're going to bitch about the Rock Hall, get it right. Joan Jett isn't an inductee. Neither is Big Mama Thornton, though she is featured in the museum. The Rock Hall has helped many people learn about early rock n roll pioneers. And I'm not going to give you any sympathy for living in Cleveland because I moved back here after living in Europe, NYC and DC. I love Cleveland and the Rock Hall.
Tracymmo 3 weeks ago
@Tracymmo Joan Jett is up for induction. What I meant to type is that Thornton belongs in the hall. Just joking about my home town, btw. I've been here for 37 years except the time I spent in the service. Just wish we could win a major sports championship sometime soon! ; ) The Rock Hall didn't turn out to be the tourist attraction it was intended to be, it doesn't really draw a crowd if u know what I mean.
cockyhemi 3 weeks ago
My only problem with this is that I can't play it louder here at work! Gritty, juicy, blues the way not even Elvis could touch it. Go Big Mama. Do it right. <3
TheAdeleLonestar 4 weeks ago 2
elvis is a thief kmt
MrSEASONSBEATS 1 month ago
@MrSEASONSBEATS At least Pat Boone didn't sing it. Yikes!
sabartholomew 2 weeks ago
@sabartholomew That is the funniest comment I've read in a long time. People nowadays just can't imagine what Pat Boone could do to this sort of material. He was hilarious. When he got up to sing there wasn't a dry seat in the theatre. It's a good job that they kept him away from this one.
gnomely1 4 days ago in playlist Really OLD
simply...THANK YOU
MrSilver666 1 month ago
Wow, that's the youngest I've seen of Buddy Guy!
blueeyesol 1 month ago
Ahhh, REAL music, that soothes the soul. Thank you Big Mama.
ChickyDoodleAnnie 2 months ago
Believe it or not she was crack skinny when she died. She became a bad alchy.
kkamagwi 2 months ago
She DID NOT write this song or Ball & Chain. Lieber & Stoller wrote Hound Dog. She sings it well (perfectly), no doubt, but she did not write it. Let's be clear.
Boatzilla2 2 months ago
@Boatzilla2 It is true she didn't write "Hounddog" BUT she did write "Ball n Chain" look it up...
maszlagma 1 month ago
Where did this recording come from?
horjoflcol 3 months ago
I wonder what year this was recorded?
ClosetLooner750 3 months ago
why don't have more singers like her today???
damn
johnnyndl 3 months ago
@johnnyndl Why do you say that? I'm sure Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift could give Big Mama a run for her money.
That was sarcastic.
bibz93 3 months ago
Pete "Guitar" Lewis kicks Buddy Guys butt so bad on the Original version !!!!
standelman95 3 months ago
For the story behind the original recording and the original version check Youtube for Hound Dog - Big Mama Thornton posted by :raredoowoop !!
standelman95 3 months ago
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Ahh Come on you ignorant f**ks, how can everyone say this is the original version !! dont you know your music history :D Big Mama recorded this 1952 with Johnny Otis, much rawer version than this !! Please Check Youtube !!!
standelman95 3 months ago
Ahh Come on you ignorant f**ks, how can everyone say this is the original version !! dont you know your music history :D Big Mama recorded this 1952 with Johnny Otis, much rawer version than this !! Please Check Youtube !!!
standelman95 3 months ago
Ahh Come on you ignorant f**ks, dont you know your music history :D Big Mama recorded this 1952 with Johnny Otis, much rawer version than this !! Check Youtube !!!
standelman95 3 months ago
Oh shit!
aaronjanke 3 months ago
Unbelievable, 10-20 years ahead of it's time!
JohnQ1127 3 months ago
She's like the rock n roll version of Queen Latipha
ghostchild88 4 months ago 9
@ghostchild88 AGREED HEY WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT LATIFAH DOING A MOVIE ABOUT THIS FORGOTTEN IMMORTAL I THINK SHE WOULD BE PERFECT.
dal4018 3 months ago
@dal4018 I think it would be awesome...let's me and you form a production company and contact her...for real...what do we have to loose?
ghostchild88 3 months ago
@ghostchild88 That's a pipedream but thanks anyway!!!!!!!!!
dal4018 3 months ago
@ghostchild88 no. Queen Latipha is a Hip Hop version of her.
lucas07700 2 months ago
@ghostchild88 The only thing worse than that comment is the fact that 8 people liked it.
thetwentythirtytwo 1 month ago
yeaaaah get it big mama!
AudiGal09 5 months ago
This can not be 1952, because the Fender Stratocaser was invented in 1954, which... as we see here, buddy guy is playing.
So this is after 1954. We know that for a fact. Wikipedia be's my source.
DecemberSean 5 months ago
@DecemberSean Is that really Buddy Guy?...how cool is that...
ghostchild88 4 months ago
Big Mama should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
RadioLaPrincess 5 months ago 27
@RadioLaPrincess You are so right. Cyndi Lauper was saying Big Mama should've been in, but you know they don't like to let too many woman in that Hall of Shame.
grethomory 2 months ago
@grethomory sad but true. There have been many cases where a woman sold more and was more influential but rejected in favor of a less popular male.
RadioLaPrincess 2 months ago
@RadioLaPrincess Isn't that sad, RadioLaPrincess? I have said over and over there should be more women in that Hall of Shame. Big Mama should've been in there way before people like Aretha because she broke grown for African American female singers.
grethomory 2 months ago
@grethomory it's very sad because so many women are neglected by the hall while they let in many marginal people.
RadioLaPrincess 1 month ago
I love Big Mama, also Bessie Smith, Clara Smith, Memphis Minnie, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington & Aretha Franklin. I love Elvis too. But no-one ripped anyone off. Lieber & Stoller wrote the song (RIP Jerry) It's debatable that Elvis even knew Big Mama's rendering. Elvis heard it in Las Vegas from a group called Freddy & the Bellboys. I prefer Big Mama's. Elvis' is just vocal gymnastics: no feeling. It doesn't figure in my top 50 of Elvis records.
leitros 5 months ago
Great version but it aint the original version !!!!
standelman95 5 months ago
@standelman95 This is the original if not who came before it???
dal4018 3 months ago
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Hey guys. I perform a cover of this great song on my channel and I'd appreciate it if you could check it out. Cheers.
SeanFlanagan1000 6 months ago
Now, Elvis opened the gates to black music? So what happened to blues & jazz which was in existence before he got here? Yeah, denial is a powerful thing especially when people want 2 continually revise history 2 suit themselves. 4 any1 2 say that racism wasn't so 'bad' back in Elvis' day is in total DENIAL & an insult 2 African Americans who lived for decades under the horrors of Jim Crow. U might as well say that Elvis also paved the way 4 the civil rights movement. *SMH*
royalsoulness 6 months ago
This video is not 1952. Buddy Guy is playing a Fender Stratocaster that didn't come out for another couple of years, 1954.
Great video and song.
thewallyshow 6 months ago
I like Elvis, but this version is definitely MUCH better. As an aside, I'm a little amazed at just how far white Americans in 2011 will go to pretend race had no tangible effect on even the smallest aspect of America throughout its history. So Elvis never benefitted from racist audiences that didn't buy black music? Really? You honestly believe that? Denial is a POWERFUL thing.
darnieglover2 10 months ago
@darnieglover2 I'm equally baffled how many black and white Americans STILL believe Racism is as bad as it was. You're right Denial IS a powerful thing. First of all, your History is incorrect. Many Racist audiences generally HATED Elvis' music. Why? Because it was BLACK music mixed with white music. And they generally saw Elvis as a threat. Elvis OPENED the GATES for Black music. Little Richard confirmed this. You think Racist audiences Liked That? Are you kidding? Yeah, denial IS powerful
williwo 8 months ago
@darnieglover2 Yes. Denial is powerful as well as revising history 2 suit their own agenda. I admire Little Richard but I find his statements about Elvis contradictory (if he said it) as much as he complained about not being acknowledged 4 being 1 of the chief archietects of R & R. I don't care if 'racist audiences' *(which were WHITE) disliked his music. The point is that if there was no Louie Jordan, Fats Domino nor Little Richard, Elvis would not have existed PERIOD!
royalsoulness 6 months ago
@royalsoulness Of course Louis Jordan had a huge influence on RnR -but it wasnt called Rock and Roll, it was Rhythm and Blues- and it wasn't the music for the teenage youth- who by 1955 started to make up the majority of the record buying public-thats when RnR became noticed- Had white artists like Bill Haley or Elvis not sing that style, perhaps Berry and Domino would be as little known as Jordan is today-thats what Richard means when he says Elvis opened the door.
rbound827 6 months ago
@rbound827 Yeah, I know. It was called R&B by Jerry Wexler. So if you want to call what Jordan sang as R&B, that's a separate debate. The point I'm making is that Jordan, Domino, Richard & Berry created and shaped this music now called 'R&R' & Elvis was at the right place at the right time. Deny it all you want but Elvis' skin color helped make him popular, regardless if 'racist' audiences hated his music or not. His music was pushed and promoted while blacks artists were pushed to the side.
royalsoulness 6 months ago
@royalsoulness Presley himself said many times of the artists that shaped his music. But the music that was called Rock and Roll was also shaped with the mixture of Hillbilly music-which Berry and Presley both were influenced by as well. Besides, Bill Haley had million selling RnR records before either of them
rbound827 6 months ago
@royalsoulness racist darkie myth
TheOnlyOneKingElvis 6 months ago
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dal4018 3 months ago
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@TheOnlyOneKingElvis You must be dreaming if you think race didn't play a role in Elvis success as a musician.Before white ppl knew who he was they never brought any of his music simply because they thought he was another black musician.
dal4018 3 months ago
I love this version....I wish Elivis' would have been closer to the orginal.
MsAmerican1960 1 year ago
Just because some black people 'like' Elvis means that blacks have negated their heroes in black music. The problem is radio is devoid in promoting classic black music because it's not considered a money maker. The other fact is that Elvis SHOWED RESPECT to black artists because he knew that alot of his vocal style and dance came from the blacks. That is the sole reason that black entertainers respected him.
royalsoulness 1 year ago
@royalsoulness This is simply not True. A lot of Black entertainers, such as B.B. King and Little Richard, respected Elvis for the great talent he possessed...not just cuz he "kissed their ass". Little Richard said Elvis is the closest thing to a Messiah that the modern age has seen. What does that say about Richard? Is HE a Racist for saying that? You can only play the Race card on a certain amount of things...........
williwo 8 months ago
@williwo What I say IS true. U can try & twist it anyway u want that race did help Elvis' career. I know that black entertainers 'respected' and liked Elvis but that doesn't change the facts. As segerated as the fifties was in America, u can't re-invent the fact that race did help Elvis get his so-called 'King of R&R' title. Fats Domino stated that he was rocking & rolling b4 Elvis came along. Same w/ Chuck Berry. As much Richard complains about not being recognized, that statement is suspect.
royalsoulness 8 months ago
@royalsoulness its not suspect, and you can look it up. What I say is true. .....And so what if Fats was playing before Elvis? Elvis couldnt help that he was born in 1935. Chuck might have started playing before Elvis...but Elvis went into a studio before he did. Thats not Elvis' fault. Sure, at THAT time...race had a role. But you're acting like it was the ONLY role...which is Bullshit. Elvis was an entertainer unlike any other, White OR Black. he had a rare versatility as a singer
williwo 8 months ago
Also, Sun Records owner Sam Phillips said that if he could get a white man 2 like a black man, he'd be a millionaire. So race DID play a part in Elvis getting recognition. It was BECAUSE he was white, that he got the support. Black music from that time period was not promoted 2 white audiences. So if nobody 'remembers' Big Mama Thornton, it is because purposely, the idea is 2 reinvent rock and roll as solely created by whites which IS NOT TRUE.
royalsoulness 1 year ago
Who tf is Elvis? Didn't he just leave the building? Zappa said so. lol. Relax & enjoy the music. Peace.
TheTrickzta 1 year ago
AMAZING!!! yeah!!!...
the1critic 1 year ago
Her version the original is WAY WAY better than Elvis' cover of the song.
curlywavy18 1 year ago
the only similarities i see and hear is the title , and 6 words in the song , you ain't nothing but a hound dog ,other than that , they are two different songs.
troy1702 1 year ago
WOW, this is amazing! Im glad I got to hear this version now!!
Beatlebug60 1 year ago
My grandmother says she got into trouble with her parents for liking this stuff.
unclealand 1 year ago
Es lo mas grande!!!...una voz increible,tengo toda su musica y no me canso de oirla,se me pone la piel de gallina..
Shexomaru 1 year ago
What a mess they would'nt give this performer national airplay in "52
TheDavey222 1 year ago
I think I like this better than Elvis' version. Originals are almost always better
PunkrRockCraver 1 year ago 10
@PunkrRockCraver Not when it's Hendrix that does the cover
arioz1 1 year ago
@PunkrRockCraver I agree. I almost always like the originals the best too.
curlywavy18 1 year ago
i was still picking cotton when this was popular---couldnt let my mom and dad know i listened to this music
slovacek59 2 years ago
@slovacek59 Really ?? Did your parents think this was not good music for U..Why ??
TheDavey222 1 year ago
@slovacek59 REPLYING TO YOUR COMMENT-MY PARENTS WERE FROM PROGUE,, CHEZKSLOVACIA(SP) AND THEY DID NOT LIKE ANY BLUES OR ELVIS FOR THAT MATTER=ALL I WAS SUPPOSED TO LISTEN TO WAS POLKA MUSIC BUT WHEN THE GOOD ROCK AND ROLLO MUSIC GOT POPULar =i was soo drawn to it and am still to this day
slovacek59 1 year ago
v. good song
profanbutan 2 years ago
Buddy Guy on guitar, Fred Below on drums, Eddie Boyd on piano and Lonesome Jimmy Lee Robinson on Bass.
The song was written by Jerry Leiber and mike Stoller. Elvis heard some one else do a cover and added it to his list. Almost all of his songs were ripped off from other artists. (Boy, am I going to get some flack off of that comment).
Good track good choice and way better than Elvis. I heard Big mama was annoyed with him for doing it.
Funniantix 2 years ago 18
Yeah man.All these are right.ThanX for the comment.
tsatswiz 2 years ago
@Funniantix So much win.
Arez64 1 year ago
@Arez64 Sorry don't understand your comment. Did you miss the 'd' off of the end of the word 'win'. There's a lot of that about.
Funniantix 1 year ago
@Funniantix
You are lying. Jerry Leiber and Mike tried to STEAL it by taking credit for it one year after Big mama registered it. It's easy to look up too.
Sashaeharmony 1 year ago
@Sashaeharmony You can call me misinformed but don't call me a liar! If I was lying I would have made my comment with the intention to deceive, which I wasn't. Where would you look up this information. Perhaps you can post a link.
Funniantix 1 year ago
@Funniantix
Not true. Jerry Leiber and Mike both tried to steal it but Big Mama and Don registered their copyright in 1952. Jerry and Mike registered it in 1953.
Sashaeharmony 1 year ago
@Sashaeharmony Rubbish!!!!
leitros 5 months ago
@Funniantix Yes, it looks you are going to get some 'flack' for that comment. The original Hound Dog is excellent. Although Elvis didn't 'rip it off.' For a start, this is a Rythm and Blues song. Elvis' Hound Dog is Rock and Roll. Elvis took the song and crafted it and moulded it to suit his style.
MrElvis96 1 year ago
@MrElvis96 Yep, we were right! I got some flack! Probably deserved it too. Like @williwo perhaps I should have chosen my words a little more carefully. I live and learn. People can be very sensitive about Elvis. The thing is, I do like Elvis' music, but not half as much as I like 'the blues'.
Funniantix 1 year ago
@Funniantix Well... great. Just don't feel it neccessary to post such things. And, yes choose your words more carefully next time.
MrElvis96 1 year ago
@Funniantix Way better than Elvis? Yeah Right. Elvis' version is Rock and Roll and COMPLETELY different from this. His is a hell of a lot catchier too.
williwo 1 year ago
@williwo Everyone's entitled to their opinion. That just happens to be mine. I wouldn't have said 'COMPLETELY different' either. If they were 'COMPLETELY different' they wouldn't have the same title would they? Or the same first line. 'COMPLETELY different' would be a comparison between the song 'Hound Dog' and 'Inuit throat singing'. Oh sorry... Hound Dog is singing too, so that's not 'COMPLETELY different' either. Hey I know. Shall we compare 'Hound Dog' to 'COMPLETE silence'?
Funniantix 1 year ago
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Funniantix 1 year ago
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eliaskrell 1 year ago
@Funniantix Elvis didn't write his songs, but didn't rip them off. He paid for them.
Retribution421 1 year ago
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eliaskrell 1 year ago
@Retribution421 she wrote the song, made it popular enough for his producers to notice (which was popular in blues circles) sang the crap out it it, and he sold 5 million copies, for which she saw not a penny of the royalites. See J. Halberstam's article in "Oh boy! Masculinities and Popular Music." Check your facts!
eliaskrell 1 year ago
@eliaskrell Actually you need to check your facts. Leiber and Stoller wrote Hound Dog FOR Big Mama thornton who first performed iit in 1953. Elvis did get the song from Thornton. But Leiber and Stoller are the authors
williwo 1 year ago
@williwo well you're still incredibly naive and avoiding an entire history of racism by saying "he paid for them". he didn't pay shit. she paid for being a woman and being black.
eliaskrell 1 year ago
@eliaskrell Oh Shut the HELL up. She DID not Write the song NOR was she a Co-Writer. Elvis had EVERY damn right to record the record. That was LEIBER and STOLLER'S song...not Thorntons. Just because Elvis' version was more exciting and more popular....doesnt give you OR Thornton the right to pull the race card. Thats just not fair. Elvis's version is more well loved. Get over it. Its not because hes white but because its more upbeat and its Rock and Roll...compared to her slow version
williwo 1 year ago
@eliaskrell By the way...dont Fucking tell me I'm avoiding an entire history of racism. For all you know...I COULD be Black. The point you are trying to make is both unfair and dishonest. And also, I'm NOT the one who said Elvis paid for anything. That was someone else. You're trying to say the ONLY reason Elvis' version was more successful is because he was white is a Damn lie. I could give you several reasons.
williwo 1 year ago
@williwo BECAUSE HE IS WHITE! THE FIRST REASON!
jrsells 8 months ago
@jrsells No thats not.....thats just your mind-set, because you want to bring racism into EVERYTHING. You didnt need to be white to sell a lot of records in the 50's. Look at Chuck Berry. The man was as big of a seller as most artists, including white ones. Sure, being White isnt going to hurt, when MOST people in the country are White! Come on, its kind of a no-brainer. But America was changing at the time...and was opening up more and more for Black artists. And Elvis was a reason for that
williwo 8 months ago
@williwo First off no matter how much you try to convince people that this stuff did not happen, history does not lie!! Point blank period! Learn! Elvis was a bad mothafucka don't get me wrong, but he surely wasn't the first! believe that! White in a white country is power! you just said it yourself! If your white, you'll be the first to be considered something positive.. Me, I'll be considered a thug, a coon, nigger and the list goes on... i'm neither of those things.again BECAUSE HE IS WHITE!
jrsells 8 months ago
@jrsells Well DUH! Mexican in a Mexican country is power.....African in an African country is power. Anytime you're apart of a majority, you're almost always going to have an advantage. Its Common Sense. Minoritys will always have a certain disadvantage no matter where you are. Thats how humanity works. You talk about being considered a coon and a nigger. Well theres white people that are called rednecks, white trash, and skinheads. Theres Mexicans that are called Beaners and border-jumpers
williwo 8 months ago
@williwo One reason Elvis' was more popular...is that his version was Rock and Roll....and it had a much stronger and faster beat than Thornton's. You could really dance to Elvis'. Anyone with half a brain should know that teenagers in general would have preferred Elvis' version on this fact alone. Elvis could have been black, and his version STILL would have been much more popular.
williwo 8 months ago
@williwo Don't be so naive to think that her status as a woman would've made writers necessarily give her credit. Elvis took her rhythm/phrasing too. She said:"I've been singing before Elvis was even born. A white man jumps up and becomes a millionaire before me off of somthing that I made popular. They gave him that right...now, why do they do that? He makes a million and all this jive because his face is different than mine." Thornton quoted in Oh boy! Masculinities,189)
eliaskrell 1 year ago
@eliaskrell Nothing naive about it. She didnt write the song. PERIOD. Also, Jimi Hendrix, a BLACK man....took a song from Bob Dylan, a WHITE man, and made a version out of it. Hendrix's version was more popular and has sold more. And yet Dylan WROTE the damn thing. Sounds like a double standard to me. The Difference? Bob Dylan didnt bitch because Hendrix took his song and made a lot of money off of it. In fact, he thought Hendrix's version was cool and dug it.
williwo 1 year ago
@eliaskrell Also, lets get real.....Elvis was likely already a millionaire by the time that song came out. He already had 2 number ones, several hits(including Blue Suede Shoes), and had already been on the national scene for 6 months. So saying he BECAME a millionaire or star off Hound Dog is blatantly dishonest. I've got news for you pal. Elvis outsold EVERYONE he covered. The writer of Blue Suede Shoes, Carl Perkins, was a WHITE GUY. So stop with the racial stuff.
williwo 1 year ago
@eliaskrell U r absolutely correct that racism and sexism did deny Big Mama Thornton the acclaim she deserved. It is well documented that white audiences from that time period did NOT support nor purchase black music. The only way white audiences listened to black music was if it was performed by WHITE ARTISTS doing cover versions. Little Richard, Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, etc. all complained about the disparity and racism that denied them the promotion they deserved.
royalsoulness 1 year ago
@eliaskrell Elvis' company always purchased the rights to the songs he performed. If she didn't get any royalties, it's because the rights were sold to Elvis Presley Enterprises. Maybe she should have had better lawyers
Retribution421 1 year ago
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katesasuika 11 months ago
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eliaskrell 1 year ago
@eliaskrell So technically...she had no right to get ANY royalties since she didnt write it. She was just the first to perform it
williwo 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@Funniantix annoyed?!?!?! she wrote the damn song, sang it, and he sold 5 million copies, for which she saw none of the royalites. See J. Halberstam's article in "Oh boy! Masculinities and Popular Music."
eliaskrell 1 year ago
@funniantix she didn't write the song but you can bet with that voice and performance she co-wrote it. can you imagine anyone telling her what or how to sing it? and she's barely remembered.
eliaskrell 1 year ago
@funniantix Here's a quotation, "I've been singing before Elvis was even born. A white man jumps up and becomes a millionaire before me off of somthing that I made popular. They gave him that right...now, why do they do that? He makes a million and all this jive because his face is different than mine." (Willie Mae Thornton quoted in Oh boy! Masculinities, 189)
eliaskrell 1 year ago
@eliaskrell I mean Come on....Elvis is more popular among BLACK people than Thornton. B.B. King Loves him, Sammy Davis Jr. loved him, Jimi Hendrix loved him, Michael Jackson loved him, and Little Richard and Chuck Berry both hold him in very high regard and have said only the warmest things about him. Little Richard himself said that Elvis opened the gates for Black Music. Funny thing is that I've never heard any one of these artists quote Mama Thornton as an influence.
williwo 1 year ago
@eliaskrell Oh and Perkins didnt just write Blue Suede Shoes....but was the original performer as well. Does that mean Elvis STOLE that from him to? Oh but I guess in that case you probly dont care...just cuz Perkins was a WHITE GUY. Oh and Perkins Never Bitched about that either by the way......even though Elvis' version is much more accessible. In fact he joined Elvis at Sun Studios for the "Million Dollar" Quartet.
williwo 1 year ago
@eliaskrell So basically, it all comes down to jealousy. Thats all it is. She just didn't like the fact that Elvis' version was more successful, so she tried to pull the race card. You never hear people like B.B. King or Little Richard try to play the race card with Elvis....even though he has sold many more records than them. Did you ever hear Little Richard go off about Elvis covering Long Tall Sally or Tutti Frutti? Or Ray Charles for I Got a Woman? Or Chuck Berry? Nope....just Mama Thorton
williwo 1 year ago
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eliaskrell 1 year ago
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eliaskrell 1 year ago
@Funniantix You're only stating the facts. Elvis did rip off a lot of tunes from others. In my opinion, Willie Mae's version is far better than Elvis'.
mlw61 7 months ago