Elvis didn't come to fame until 1957, six years after this recording. You can also tell on this recording where Jimi Hendrix came from. I was growing up in the Military Congressional Industrial complex, so the GI radio stations were what I heard. When we located in Salt Lake City all we had was Top 40 where the Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones took over the decade. No mention of any Black artists until Jimi Hendrix . . . ?
@hugemangus Actually, Elvis performed this one on Milton Berle's show in '56 and revolution ensued!!! Elvis based his version, btw, on Freddie Bell's not Big Mama's. Also, keep in mind you're hearing the mid-60s version here, not the 1952 hit.
Elvis Presley was famous for singing like a black man yet he was white and more palatable to racist 50s America. He didn't write any of his own music, yet he's the "King" of rock n roll. What a joke. His biggest talent was looking good and being white. He is to rock n roll what Vanilla Ice is to rap. Inauthentic and as boring as Wonder Bread. Give me Big Momma Thornton any day!
I'm a huge fan of Elvis' music, but his (more widely known) version pales in comparrison to Big Mama's. Why wasn't this lady a HUGE star ... literally and figuratively
Big Mama Thornton was a rather prolific Blues singer active from the late 40s through to her death in 1984. She was also a lesbian who often dressed as a man on stage.
A very good blues harp player and singer. If you look for blues harp classics she always appears. Played with Muddy, BB, everyone. What a great voice she had.
Elvis didn't come to fame until 1957, six years after this recording. You can also tell on this recording where Jimi Hendrix came from. I was growing up in the Military Congressional Industrial complex, so the GI radio stations were what I heard. When we located in Salt Lake City all we had was Top 40 where the Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones took over the decade. No mention of any Black artists until Jimi Hendrix . . . ?
hugemangus 2 months ago
@hugemangus Actually, Elvis performed this one on Milton Berle's show in '56 and revolution ensued!!! Elvis based his version, btw, on Freddie Bell's not Big Mama's. Also, keep in mind you're hearing the mid-60s version here, not the 1952 hit.
AllBobsAllTheTime 3 weeks ago
Work it, Big Mama!!!!
hazelman 3 months ago
Elvis Presley was famous for singing like a black man yet he was white and more palatable to racist 50s America. He didn't write any of his own music, yet he's the "King" of rock n roll. What a joke. His biggest talent was looking good and being white. He is to rock n roll what Vanilla Ice is to rap. Inauthentic and as boring as Wonder Bread. Give me Big Momma Thornton any day!
dannypantsNYC 10 months ago 5
@dannypantsNYC what a stupid comment, did whitie steal your lunch money again?
TheOnlyOneKingElvis 8 months ago
This kicks Elvis's commercial version squa in the nuts!!
switchest26 1 year ago
@switchest26 It does. And not only that but, it only makes sense for a woman to sing this song.
jodi183 10 months ago
Big Mama Thornton was an incredible talent who only received $500.00 for her hugely popular version of Hound Dog and not a cent more. Shame!
womanlybassplayer 1 year ago
i guess she didnt become a huge star because she's black:(
BradaSizz 1 year ago
I'm a huge fan of Elvis' music, but his (more widely known) version pales in comparrison to Big Mama's. Why wasn't this lady a HUGE star ... literally and figuratively
eplafan 2 years ago 2
@eplafan From what I heard, she liked to drink a little bit and tended to miss showtimes.
AllBobsAllTheTime 3 weeks ago
WHO is this lady? Incredible!
sexmex5 2 years ago
Big Mama Thornton was a rather prolific Blues singer active from the late 40s through to her death in 1984. She was also a lesbian who often dressed as a man on stage.
KingCreole74 2 years ago
A very good blues harp player and singer. If you look for blues harp classics she always appears. Played with Muddy, BB, everyone. What a great voice she had.
Geetar2112 2 years ago